Smith’s huge block of a short jumper by Tobias Harris was critical as the Mavs prevailed, 114-110, over the red-hot Los Angeles Clippers before a loud and boisterous sellout crowd of 19,551 at American Airlines Center. It was the seventh straight victory at home for the Mavs and their ninth triumph in their last 12 games.
The win padded the Mavs’ overall record to 11-10 and vaulted them back into the eighth (playoff) spot in the Western Conference.
With the Mavs nursing a two-point lead and tensions running high, the 6-3 Smith found himself one-on-one five feet from the basket against Tobias Harris, who stands 6-9.