Clippers vs. Mavericks

Clippers forward Matt Barnes blocks a shot by Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki on Wednesday night at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mavericks guard O.J. Mayo goes for a steal against Clippers forward Caron Butler on Wednesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers power forward Ronny Turiaf blocks a shot by Mavericks power forward Elton Brand on Wednesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki pulls the ball away from Clippers power forward Blake Griffin during their game Wednesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Dallas forward Elton Brand attempts a free throw while fans hold up posters of Chris Paul as Cliff Paul from the State Farm commercial “Born to Assist.”  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Forwards Lamar Odom of the Clippers and Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavericks battle for a loose ball on Wednesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers forward Matt Barnes knocks the ball from the grasp of Mavericks power forward Elton Brand on Wednesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe drives to the basket against Dallas’ Elton Brand and Jae Crowder.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers power forward Ronny Turiaf fakes three Mavericks defenders into the air before scoring on Wednesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers power forward Blake Griffin arrives too late to prevent a layup by Mavericks point guard Darren Collison on Wednesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers center DeAndre Jordan is fouled by Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki while preparing to shoot in the first half Wednesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Mavericks guard Rodrigue Beaubois attempts a driving layup against Clippers big men Lamar Odom and Ronny Turiaf in the first half Wednesday night.   (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Clippers forward Lamar Odom throws down a dunk against Mavericks center Chris Kaman in the first half Wednesday night.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers power forward Ronny Turiaf tries to beat Mavericks forward Vince Carter for a rebound in the first half Wednesday night.  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Clippers power forward Blake Griffin tries to block the shot of Mavericks power forward Elton Brand in the first half Wednesday night.   (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)