Behind the Box Score, where the Mavs are getting ready

Dallas 106, Los Angeles Clippers 100 It's a shot in the face to the Clippers, but it is the truth. Dallas' win over the Staples Center tenant was a warm-up gig for their Thursday night showing against a white-hot Lakers team. And Dallas needed the tune-up. And warm-up. Because though Eric Gordon looked out of sorts with his team's offense on his way to a 4-18 shooting night, the Clippers hung in there with Mo Williams fantastic first half, and Blake Griffin's oh-so-warming second half. Williams, we know, can play well (first half) and be incredibly emotional (second half, when he was ejected), but Griffin's work has us thirsting for more. And wondering if the league can just let the Clippers play a roundtable of four other teams on NBA TV following the regular season while the playoffs run on the more heralded networks. Twenty-five points, 17 rebounds, four assists, three steals for Griffin. He's done this before; but watching him utilize a pivot and drop-ste...