Mobley, Clippers top Mavericks

11.9.2006

Los Angeles, CA (Basketball News) - Cuttino Mobley poured in a game-high 28 points, 12 of which came in the third quarter, as the Los Angeles Clippers toppled the Dallas Mavericks, 103-85 at the Staples Center.

Mobley, who shot 10-of-15 from the field, had seven rebounds and four steals for the Clippers, who have won four straight since dropping their season- opener to Phoenix.

"We didn’t play well in the first half, but we attacked them in the second half," Mobley said. "Our offense worked off our defense. We were able to make easy buckets. We stayed aggressive as much as possible."

Sam Cassell scored 21 points and dished out nine assists while Elton Brand contributed 13 points and 12 boards in the victory.

Jason Terry led the Mavericks with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting and Dirk Nowitzki added 19, despite shooting 7-of-20. He also grabbed 12 rebounds in the loss.

Dallas, which shot a miserable 39 percent from the field, is 0-4 to start a season for the first time in franchise history.

Nowitzki’s jumper, which broke a 13-13 tie at the 5:30 mark, started a 14-0 run for the Mavericks in the first quarter. Los Angeles was held scoreless for the next 3:40 until Brand hit a layup. Terry scored 14 points in the opening frame as Dallas held a 32-21 lead.

The Mavericks maintained a comfortable lead throughout the second. Cassell’s jumper with 3:22 remaining made it a five-point contest, but Greg Buckner drained a three to put Dallas up 44-36. Devin Harris hit two free throws, but Shaun Livingston’s layup cut the Clippers’ deficit to 50-43 at the half.

A turnaround jumper by Cassell gave Los Angeles its first lead of the game at the 7:48 mark in the third. Mobley led the charge with 12 points in the quarter en route to a 73-66 advantage.

Dallas got as close as four, 83-79 on Nowitzki’s fadeaway jumper with 6:04 to play, however Mobley drained a layup and a jump shot to pad the Clippers’ lead. Los Angeles then went on a 20-6 burst to close the door on the Mavericks.

Game Notes

Los Angeles shot 48 percent from the field...Both teams shot 75 percent from the charity strip...Dallas’ Jerry Stackhouse finished with 12 points...LA’s Corey Maggette had 12 points and 12 rebounds...The Clippers host New Orleans/Oklahoma City on Sunday while Dallas visits Phoenix on Thursday...Attendance was 18,538.

DAL LAC

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