Clippers Rebound Nicely

Back at you, Mavericks.

Considering what the Dallas Mavericks did Saturday to the Clippers at Staples Center and what the Clippers did to themselves Monday against the Grizzlies at Memphis, a comprehensive victory over the NBA’s hottest team didn’t figure Tuesday.

As they have shown again and again this season, the Clippers are anything but predictable.

Fun, exciting, young, sure, but predictable?

Not just yet.

“A lot of people in Vegas lost money tonight,” Coach Alvin Gentry said after the Clippers ended the Mavericks’ seven-game winning streak with a 117-100 victory before a sellout crowd of 19,948 at the American Airlines Center.

That the Clippers won on the road, in their second game in as many nights, was one thing. That they won after being routed in the fourth quarter of a 133-112 loss to the Mavericks in L.A. and after bickering among themselves on the court during a 119-115 overtime loss against the Grizzlies was quite another.

Plus, it was only the Clippers’ fourth road victory in 19 games.

Asked what Tuesday’s performance says about his team, Gentry said, “That we’re a young and inconsistent team. We’re trying to get to the point where we can be consistent.

“When we stay together, we’re pretty good.”

Standing together, through good times and bad, was a topic of discussion Tuesday afternoon for Gentry and point guard Jeff McInnis.

Gentry benched McInnis for the final 3:50 of regulation and all of overtime Monday.

Neither would divulge many details about what was said other than that they spoke for an hour and cleared the air. The meeting did wonders for McInnis’ confidence and he scored a season-best 31 points, making 12 of 21 shots, including five of six three-point baskets.

McInnis also outplayed Steve Nash, his Dallas counterpart, and lifted the Clippers when they needed him most. McInnis had 13 points in the fourth quarter; Nash had 22 by game’s end, but did not score in the fourth.

McInnis made a three-point basket to give the Clippers a 107-100 lead with 2:28 remaining. Dirk Nowitzki missed an 18-foot jump shot at the other end. McInnis then finished the Mavericks with a three-pointer and two free throws, igniting a 13-0 closing run for the Clippers (23-23).

“I was much more relaxed,” said McInnis, who earned a spot in Gentry’s doghouse by yelling at the referees while Memphis point guard Brevin Knight raced down court to score an easy basket in the third quarter Monday.

“There have been a lot of things going on and I got a chance to air things out. I came out with a clear head. You and the coach can’t be at odds. [Monday] night, I just wanted to be in the game. I play fiery. Everybody knows that about me.

“Some people might look at that in a negative way.”

Publicly, Gentry has been one of McInnis’ biggest supporters. However, Gentry was critical of his point guard after Monday’s game, when McInnis had only two points in the second half and the Clippers squandered a 12-point halftime lead en route to their fifth consecutive overtime loss.

Said Gentry: “There’s a lot more to being a part of a team than just having ability on the court.

“I’m going to have the people out there that I think will give us the best chance to win.”

Gentry did not hesitate in starting McInnis against the Mavericks, however.

“As I said to him, ‘I’m going to play you 40 minutes a game. Obviously, I’ve got confidence in you,’” Gentry said. “We spent some time together. He said some things. I thought he had some valid points.”

In the end, all the Clippers played better Tuesday than Saturday against Dallas or Monday against Memphis. They defended better, handled the basketball better and maintained their poise better.

Although they trailed, 52-49, at the half, the Clippers grew stronger in the third and fourth quarters. Unlike Saturday’s game, when Dallas pulled away with a 20-0 run late, the Clippers never let the Mavericks get rolling. Dallas shot 45.6% as opposed to 57.6% Saturday.

“We’re growing as a team,” Gentry said. “We’re getting better and I’m proud of the way the guys played. To come back here and win by 17 and to hold them to 33 points less than the other night, it’s a great win for our guys.”