Clippers Can’t Stop Aguirre, and Mavericks Win, 138-107

Mark Aguirre scored 39 points, including 16 in the third quarter, to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 138-107 victory over the Clippers Saturday night.

Aguirre, who had a season-high 40 points in a 129-125 loss at Sacramento on Thursday night, sparked a 43-point third period for the Mavericks.

Los Angeles, whose 8-41 record is the worst in the NBA, led, 25-22, at the end of the first quarter. Dallas, playing without guard Rolando Blackman, who had a bruised thigh, came back in the second period as Aguirre scored 10 points and Detlef Schrempf hit a three-point basket at the buzzer to give the Mavericks a 55-52 lead at halftime.

With Aguirre and Sam Perkins leading the way, the Mavericks increased their margin to 98-87 at the end of the third period. Perkins, who had 25 points, scored 12 in the quarter.

In the final period, it was all Dallas as the Mavericks outscored the Clippers, 40-20. Aguirre scored 6 of Dallas’ first 10 points in the quarter before leaving with 7:01 left in the game.

Quintin Dailey came off the bench to lead the Clippers with 21 points. Kenny Fields and Larry Drew each had 16. The Mavericks outrebounded the Clippers, 60-40. Dallas’ James Donaldson had 19 rebounds and Los Angeles’ Benoit Benjamin had 14.

Aguirre said he didn’t feel any special pressure with Blackman out of the game.

“L.A. knew I would have to take some of the slack, so they were looking for me,” he said. “We had to get production from Sam (Perkins) and (Derek) Harper (who had 18 points) to win the game. We had a stretch where we didn’t play well, but it is a mark of a good team when you can play like that and come back and win.”

Clipper Coach Don Chaney said the difference in the game was Aguirre.

“My analysis is that Dallas is a very good team, even without Rolando Blackman. Aguirre played like a superstar.”

Guard Brad Davis, who played 37 minutes in Blackman’s absence, scored 10 points and also had 10 assists.