The visiting Dallas Mavericks upset the powerhouse Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, 90 - 88. Dallas (9 - 21) has now won four of its last seven games after a horrendous start to the season that had seated them at last in the Western Conference. On Friday, the team saw the return of star forward Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles). Despite only playing 15 minutes, Nowitzki was a difference - maker for the Mavs, scoring 17 points on 7 - of - 12 shooting. Forward Harrison Barnes, meanwhile, led the team with 24 points. The Mavericks played tough defense, forcing 20 Clippers turnovers on the night. Los Angeles (22 - 9) defeated the San Antonio Spurs in a major win on Thursday, but saw a fourth quarter collapse against the Mavericks. Despite leading by as much as eight early in the fourth, the Clippers walked away with a loss at the end of the day. LA is missing star forward Blake Griffin, who recently underwent surgery and is expected to be sidelined until mid - January. Griffin's absence was felt, as the Clippers' starting five combined for just 34 points. Sixth man Jamal Crawford led the team with 26 off the bench. The Clippers will play the Lakers on Christmas Day.
["PlayerStat(G,'Harrison Barnes') has 24 Field goals attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Dirk Nowitzki') has 12 Field goals attempted ,has 7 Field goals made ,has 15 Minutes played ,has 17 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Jamal Crawford') has 26 Field goals attempted ."]