Dallas 96 - Clippers 86

I don't know that there is much to break down when a great team at home beats a mildly-above-average one.  Some kept the faith, but to me this was destiny.  The Clippers showed some flashes, and were by no means completely outclassed, but they were not really a threat after halftime.

Ill take the simple cliche track and see how my keys to the game played out.

• The Clippers need TT to be healthy.  TT could not go.  The Clippers offensive options were severely cut.  They were forced to play a simple game and it was easy for Dallas to match up.
  
• The Clippers need a lockdown defensive effort.  Dallas shot 50%, 63% on 3's, got 29 FTA, only yielded 13 TO's and every single Maverick except Greg Buckner had their points greater than their FGA.
  
• Everyone, especially Kaman, must show up.  Kaman was a ghost in the first half, shooting 1-3 with 2 rebounds in 19 minutes.  The Mavericks offensive rebounding kept them alive through that stretch.
  
• There can be no extended offensive lapse.  We saw a pair of our classic Clippers Opp 6-0 runs to start each half.  Combined with a 16-8 Dallas run to end the second quarter and you have your major drought.

Every Clippers starter played 35 minutes in the ultimately futile effort.  Blanket cranked that up to 43.  Let's hope they have something left in the tank for the must-win tonight.