Mavericks fans - and most likely a lot of unaffiliated local NBA fans - will get their first good look at Clippers forward and former Oklahoma star Blake Griffin Tuesday night at the AAC. The Clippers started their season 1-13 but have bounced back to go 16-13 since, including wins over San Antonio, Miami and the Lakers. The slow start still has them seven games out of a playoff spot. Dallas has recovered from a six-game losing streak to win two of their last three and sits tied for third in the West with OKC.
Griffin missed his first season with a knee injury but is the talk of the NBA this winter. His 22.8 points per game (12th in the NBA) come on 52.2% field goal shooting - tied with Dirk Nowitzki for highest among those top twelve, and he's fourth the league with 12.9 rebounds per game. Though Griffin has become the star of the team, the Clippers are actually led in scoring by Eric Gordon, who is 8th in the league at 24.1 ppg.
The two teams met in LA for each team's third game of the season. Dallas won easily, 99-83, behind six scorers in double figures. Griffin was held in check that night, tallying 16 points and nine rebounds on just 4-15 shooting and posting a -27.