Kawhi Leonard had 20 points and triggered a key early driving when Los Angeles Clippers sailed past Dallas Maverick’s 114-91 on Friday night in Inglewood, Calif.
Clippers have won 10 of their 12 last matches. Ivica Zubac and Norman Powell each had 14 points for Los Angeles. Mavericks scored his smallest points in the season.
Dallas played without Anthony Davis, who was a late scratch with an adductor tribe. Dereck Lively II (injury management) also did not dress for Mavericks, who also lost Kyy Thompson to an injury during the first half after playing 12 1/2 minutes. Watch Jaden Hardy also helped to the court with 2:13 left after rolling the ankle.
The two teams meet again Saturday night, also in Inglewood.
Clippers (45-32) pulled into a three-way tie for sixth place in the western conference with Memphis and Minnesota. Dallas (38-40) remained in ninth place in the west.
The point was tied at 8-8 halfway through the first quarter when Leonard took over. He scored on a jumper from the elbow, a spin in the lane, two free throw and then made a 3-point for a personal 9-4 run that gave Clippers a lead that they did not renounce.
Los Angeles closed the first quarter on a 19-6 driving and led 29-16 on the summer.
The leadership grew during the second quarter when Mavericks really missed Davis’s presence inside and outside. The Clippers went on a 10-0 run when Leonard drilled a 3-pointer, Powell made a long trey from the wing, Drew Eubanks did inside and Leonard converted from the baseline. The management grew to as high as 25, and Los Angeles led 58-35 at the break.
Dallas held things at about 20 points during the third quarter, but Los Angeles opened the fourth quarter on a 19-5 run, highlighted by three 3 points by Bogdan Bogdanovic.
During the fourth quarter, the brothers Max Christie (Mavericks) and Cam Christie (Clippers) played against each other during the last six minutes.
Zubac had his 21st double double since the all-star break.
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