Takeaways: Mavs flash long-range success to whip Clips

We need to visit one of Jason Kidd’s favorite topics: defense.

The Mavericks played that side of the game very well in Tuesday’s 103-101 win over the Los Angeles Clippers – for a half.

Actually, just for the first quarter, when they smothered the Clips.

After that?

The Clippers shot 64.4 percent over the last three quarters, including 71.9 percent in the second half and 78.6 percent in the fourth quarter.

Hearing that, you have to wonder how the Mavericks squeaked out a win.

But they did. And that’s really all that matters. And their defense, while giving up a lot of buckets, did produce 21 turnovers – leading to 28 points. So it wasn’t all bad.

But you can bet Kidd will stress a more consistent…