They finally show something in reserve

The bench numbers had been dismal in a bleak two weeks. During the Clippers’ 0-6 start, their bench had been outscored by opponents’ reserves, 243-135.

On Sunday, though, the Clippers had a substantial edge in bench scoring against Dallas, 34-22, on their way to their first win of the season, 103-92.

Paul Davis and Eric Gordon combined for 21 points. Gordon made four of eight shots, including three three-pointers.

Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy spoke about the reserves’ intensity.

“Mike Taylor came in and gave us a nice big lift,” he said. “Eric Gordon did a really nice job defensively for us, and offensively, Paul Davis. Getting those kind of contributions off of our bench is a big positive.”

They’ve been patient with the minutes given to Gordon, a rookie. He came close to 30 minutes against the Mavericks, playing 29:35, easily a career high.

“There were some things he wasn’t as sharp on in our coverages and things of that nature, so we had to kind of work our way in with him and get his feet wet,” Dunleavy said. “But he’s made progress and he’s gotten better and better each game.

“Defensively, he was good for us, pretty much in the right spot at all times and it helped us a great deal as opposed to being a liability.”

Tricky Ricky

Swingman Ricky Davis, who had five points and four rebounds in 19 minutes Sunday, joked recently that the favorite of his many nicknames was his first one, Tarzan.

Maybe he was channeling that nickname when he knocked Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki to the court, earning a technical foul with 52 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

“Yeah, Ricky did a good job of doing that,” Marcus Camby said, laughing. “Unfortunately, he got subbed the next possession. It was a big play, a big play. It let Dallas know that we were going to fight to get this win.”

Etc.

The Clippers earned a day off with the victory, but it wasn’t just an escape from hitting the court at their Playa Vista training facility.

“It’s not the practice,” Camby said. “It’s the film sessions.”

Apparently, they tend to drift into marathon viewings. Perhaps they need intermissions.

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