Mavs Game Observations: Game 28 vs Clippers

Mavericks respond, make proper adjustments, and take the W

Photo by Sam Hodde / Getty Images

The Mavericks split their home-and-home series with the Los Angeles Clippers in style, earning a convincing 113-97 win.

These two matchups highlighted how challenging it is to beat the same opponent twice in a row during a baseball-style series in the regular season. The losing team often comes back hungrier, more motivated, and ready to make the necessary adjustments.

Last night, the Mavericks followed that script, showcasing the ability Jason Kidd’s teams often display in playoff-like setups—bouncing back from an initial loss with great adjustments and a much-improved performance.

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Today’s notes:

1. A defensive statement with Kyrie setting the tone (🎞️VIDEO)

2. Lively’s and Gafford’s statement against Zubac

3. An adjustment and Maxi Kleber made a difference on defense (🎞️VIDEO)

4. Adjustments and small tweaks on offense(🎞️VIDEO)

5. The Mavericks depth on full display...again

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1-A defensive statement with Kyrie setting the tone (🎞️VIDEO)

After the loss in the first game, I noted that the effort on the defensive side was disappointing, particularly the recurring issues of a lack of on-ball pressure and resistance against James Harden.

Last night, it was clear from the very first possession that the Mavericks were focused on providing on-ball resistance. On some case we even saw disruption. Just as he did in the playoff series, Kyrie Irving, energized after five days of rest, embraced the challenge of defending James Harden.

Irving set the tone right from the start, with the Clippers committing turnovers on their first two Harden pick-and-roll actions. His ball pressure in the first half was a joy to watch and one of the key reasons the Mavericks held the Clippers to just 40 points before the break.

2-Lively’s and Gafford’s statement against Zubac

Another heavily criticized aspect of Thursday’s defensive breakdown was the recurring issue of Lively and Gafford struggling against big, physical centers like Ivica Zubac. The Mavericks’ big man duo lacks the bulk and size to outmuscle bruising centers like Zubac. However, when they succeed, it’s usually because they tag team for 48 minutes of relentless effort—outhustling, outjumping, and outrunning their bigger counterparts.

Last night, Lively and Gafford tallied 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting, along with 18 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks, and 2 steals in 47 minutes, while limiting Zubac to just 13 points (more on that strategy in the next point).

Both had key impactful stretches: Lively hustled for two crucial offensive rebounds late in the second quarter, each leading to open corner three-pointers for Irving and Klay Thompson. Earlier in the same quarter, Gafford had his number called on two post-up plays and responded by scoring twice against Zubac on the block.

3- An adjustment and Maxi Kleber made a difference on defense (🎞️VIDEO)

Limiting Zubac and Harden was a collective effort, with Jason Kidd making some key, necessary adjustments after the first matchup. In my analysis after the first game, I highlighted how having P.J. Washington on-ball against Harden and Powell pulled away much-needed secondary size and rim protection from the paint. This became a significant issue when the Mavericks showed two defenders on screens with their primary bigs (Lively and Gafford) leaving smaller players to tag Zubac’s rolls.