Mavs-Clippers preview7 p.m., today, American Airlines Center, ESPN/Ch. 21; ESPN-FM (103.3), KFLC-AM (1270 Spanish) 08:52 PM CDT on Tuesday, April 18, 2006By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News Series: Mavs lead 3-0 this season, 67-42 all time Key matchup Elton Brand vs. Dirk Nowitzki: Any time there are two MVP candidates on the floor at the same position, it's worth watching. Neither player has done much against each other. Nowitzki has averaged 21 points on 37.9 percent shooting in three meetings. He has nine turnovers to just seven assists. Brand has scored 17.3 points a game on 40 percent shooting against the Mavs. Inside the Clippers Best of times: They have eclipsed their record for most victories in a season since the franchise moved from Buffalo to San Diego. The previous high was 45 wins by the 1991-92 team. The Clippers are in the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons and only the third time since the Buffalo days ended in 1978. Briefly: They are mostly an offensive-minded team, but they can "D" it up on occasion. They held New Orleans to 16 second-half points in an 89-67 win last month. ... Sam Cassell remains the head of this snake, although he probably won't play much, if any, because of a hyperextended right knee. Expect Shaun Livingston to see plenty of time. Inside the Mavericks Producing when it means something: There is no better testament to Josh Howard's play this season than the fact that the Mavericks are 19-0 when he scores 20 or more points. That proves that he's not piling up meaningless points in games that are already decided. When he is assertive offensively, the Mavericks win. Period. Briefly: An excellent snapshot of Adrian Griffin's worth this season: He has 51 steals to only 37 turnovers. ... A win tonight gives the Mavericks a 35-6 home record, one off the franchise record in 2003-04. ... Barring something odd, Dirk Nowitzki and Erick Dampier will be the only Mavericks to play in all 82 games this season. PROBABLE STARTERS Clippers Pos. Mavericks Elton Brand F Dirk Nowitzki Quinton Ross F Josh Howard Chris Kaman C DeSagana Diop Cuttino Mobley G Adrian Griffin Sam Cassell G Jason Terry LINK
