MOBLEY ANSWER FOR THE CLIPPERS GUARD SCORES 28, STOPS NOWITZKI CLIPPERS 103, DALLAS 85.

Byline: JOE STEVENS Staff Writer

Dirk Nowitzki presented major mismatch issues for the Clippers. The 7-footer can shoot and pass, and helped Dallas to an early 14-point lead.

But the Clippers found their answer to the mismatch with 6-foot-4 Cuttino Mobley - big time.

Mobley gave up eight inches, but stymied Nowitzki on defense and poured in a game-high 28 points in the Clippers' 103-85 victory Wednesday night at Staples Center.

The Clippers won their fourth straight and sent the defending Western Conference champion Mavericks to an 0-4 start.

And this one was more about Mobley than anything else.

Mobley shot 10 of 15 from the field and added seven rebounds. He helped hold Nowitzki to 7 of 20 shooting, but the All-Star still finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

The Clippers had three other players in double figures with Sam Casssell adding 21 points and nine assists.

Elton Brand's production had been a question in two of the Clippers' past victories, but with the Clippers winning with such a comfortable margin, that issue appears quelled, plus Brand had 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Dallas stayed with the Clippers until the closing minutes. Corey Maggette scored on a drive to the basket with 3:13 left, and the Clippers led by double digits the rest of the way.

The Clippers turned around a less-than-stellar first half by outscoring the Mavs 30-16 in the third quarter to go up 73-66 heading into the fourth quarter.

Mobley scored 11 points in the quarter and repeatedly frustrated Nowitzki on the defensive end. Nowitzki shot 1 of 7 in the quarter.

The Clippers were out of synch in the first half. Chris Kaman, in particular, looked out of rhythm. The Clippers repeatedly went to Kaman in the first quarter, and he appeared to be exploiting mismatches close to the basket. But Kaman went just 2 of 7 for four points and had two turnovers. He sat the rest of the first half and didn't start the second half, even though he started the game.

It certainly didn't help the Clippers that they were facing a Mavericks squad that started the season 0-3, despite being in the NBA Finals last season. Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said he figured the Mavs would be particularly hungry to get in the win column - but so were the Clippers.

The Mavs, however, had another problem. They learned on Tuesday that their second leading-scorer Josh Howard has a second-degree ankle sprain and will be out at least two weeks.

In contrast to the Mavs, the Clippers had won their past three games and were looking to continue their early season success.

"And they got their whole team together," Dallas coach Avery Johnson said.

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Cuttino Mobley scored 28 points and kept Dallas star Dirk Nowitzki in check in the Clippers' victory.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer