Clippers downed by Mavericks’ bench scoring barrage and no Luka Doncic
Dallas Mavericks guard Quentin Grimes (5) shoots against Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) drives against Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) during the first period of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) hangs from the rim after slam-dunking against Clippers guard Norman Powell, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives against Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) shoots against Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, right smiles while watching from the bench with forward Markieff Morris, left, during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Clippers Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard watches from the bench during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) dribbles against Dallas Mavericks guard Quentin Grimes (5) during the first period of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) reaches for the ball against Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) and guard Klay Thompson (31) during the first period of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Clippers guard James Harden (1) drives against Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first period of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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Dallas Mavericks guard Quentin Grimes (5) shoots against Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. (77) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
DALLAS — Quentin Grimes scored 20 points off the bench, 14 in the fourth quarter, leading eight Mavericks in double figures as Dallas beat the Los Angeles Clippers 113-97 on Saturday night despite missing leading scorer Luka Doncic.
Doncic, fifth in the NBA with 28.9 points per game, missed his second consecutive game with a left heel contusion.
Klay Thompson scored 16 points, and Kyrie Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie had 15 apiece.
Irving, Dallas’ second-leading scorer who averages 23.9 points, missed the previous game with a sore shoulder.
During one stretch midway through the final period, Grimes hit consecutive 3-pointers and was then fouled behind the arc on Dallas’ next shot and hit all three free throws.
Norman Powell scored 28 points for the Clippers, who split a two-game series at Dallas. James Harden and Kevin Porter Jr. each added 19.
The Mavericks outscored the Clippers 31-18 in the second period to lead 54-40 at halftime, outshooting them 47.8% to 22.2%.
Clippers: Ivica Zubac had 13 points and 15 rebounds for his 19th double-double. Harden passed Tim Duncan to move into 16th place in NBA career scoring with 26,503 points.
Mavericks: Dereck Lively II had 11 points and 11 rebounds as Dallas improved to 6-2 without Doncic.
Irving was 1 of 10 and 0 of 3 on 3-pointers before hitting a second-chance 3 with 1:07 to play in the first half. From that point, he shot 5 of 15 with two 3-pointers.
The Mavericks led in bench points 46-24 paced by Grimes, Daniel Gafford with 13 and Naji Marshall with 12.
The Clippers will finish a three-game road trip against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. The Mavericks will host the Portland Trail Blazers in the third game of a four-game homestand.
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