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Mavericks look to rebound against Clippers

Dec 28, 2008 - 7:53 AM Dallas (17-12) at LA Clippers (8-20) 3:30 p.m. EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Dallas Mavericks hope a day off will help them rebound from a disappointing loss in their last contest.

Following a loss to the shorthanded Utah Jazz, Dallas concludes a three-game road trip in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Sunday.

The Mavericks had their three-game winning streak stopped Friday in a 97-88 loss to the Jazz after arriving in Utah well after 4 a.m. following a win in Portland Thursday. Jason Terry scored 26 points off the bench while Josh Howard and Dirk Nowitzki added 18 and 17 respectively.

"We struggled," Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle said. "But I'm not going to make excuses about the travel or anything like that. Everybody gets put in this position at some point, and you've got to be able to come out and play."

Nowitzki was ejected after a flagrant foul-2 early in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks trailed, 81-68, at that point and were unable to get close than five the rest of the way.

The Clippers are coming off their second-worst offensive performance of the season in a 97-75 loss to the Raptors on Monday and their lowest point total since November 3.

Rookie Eric Gordon and Zach Randolph scored 19 points apiece. Baron Davis had 16 points and nine assists but committed six of Los Angeles' 17 turnovers.