NBA 2018-19: 3 Takeaways from Dallas' win over Clippers

Final Score: Dallas Mavericks beat Los Angeles Clippers, 114-110

Stats:

Mavericks- 64 rebounds, 20 assists, 5 Blocks and 6 steals.

Clippers- 44 rebounds, 23 assists, 5 Blocks and 9 steals.

The Dallas Mavericks improved to an 11-10 record with a four-point win at home against the inform Los Angeles Clippers. With rookie Luka Doncic out, Harrison Barnes and J.J Barea did what they could to lift the Mavericks over the Clippers with 30 points and 24 points respectively.

DeAndre Jordan versed his old Clippers team for the first time since leaving in free agency at the start of the season and showed his importance to both teams as he collected 23 rebounds on the night, contributing massively to the Mavericks 20+ advantage in the rebound count.

While Montrezl Harrell was the spark off the bench for LA as he added 23 points and 10 rebounds off 24 minutes of play leading the way for the Clippers scorers. Here are the three talking points to take away from this match.

#1 Player of the Game - Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes has well and truly gotten back to his best after his injury problems and was without a doubt the go-to guy for the Dallas Mavericks with Doncic being sidelined for a game.

Barnes did it in all aspects of the floor, 30 points, 9 rebounds and a block as he led the floor in scoring for both sides. Shooting 33% from beyond the arc and 42% from the field as he was unstoppable from the midrange and everywhere else as he put the Clippers to the sword just as they seemed like coming back.

Barnes has steadily been increasing his output as the season progresses as he adjusts to his new role with Doncic and Jordan now in the lineup. The 6'8 forward has been shooting more from behind the three point line this season and shooting it at nearly 7% better than last season at 41% efficiency as he becomes a more versatile player and will be a vital player for Dallas to reach the playoffs this season.

#2 Clippers are good, not great

The Los Angeles Clippers have been probably the biggest surprise of all at the beginning of this season, with the best record in the Western Conference at 16-7, they are currently surpassing all preseason expectations without a true superstar in their roster.

The lack of a true elite star shown through in this game has the Clippers were unable to close the gap in the 4th quarter as they couldn't find away to make the important plays on both ends of the floor.

They have a deep lineup, and a great bench with guard Lou Williams always in the running for sixth man of the year, but with an injury prone starting five they may struggle to continue this form throughout the season.

A 44-64 rebound count was the most costly stat for the Clippers to lose, and the 17 offensive boards that they allowed proved to be the difference as they just couldn't overcome the Mavericks to further their record.

#3 DeAndre Jordan is what Mavericks have been missing

Dallas Mavericks were one of the worst rebounding teams in the league for the past two seasons and it hurt them massively leaving them at the low end of the Western Conference.

Now, with the signing of DeAndre Jordan in free agency, they have filled a vital hole in their starting lineup and it showed against Jordan's old team the Clippers. Jordan found 23 rebounds including 6 offensive rebounds to add to his 16 points and 3 assists in the 34 minutes played. Jordan is currently sitting third on the least of best rebounders in the league at 13.7 per game, only behind Andre Drummond and Hassan Whiteside.

Had Jordan still been on the Clippers for this game, the result very well may have gone the other way with the big man being the difference on the glass and both ends of the floor.