Dec 5, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) dunks the ball as Dallas Mavericks center Chris Kaman (35) defends in the third quarter at the Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Mavericks 112-90. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Lob City was back at Staples… Oh, ME, oh MY, was it back.

Caron Butler got things started with an early first quarter dunk over former Clipper Chris Kaman and the rout was on.

Click here for game video highlights of Clippers vs. Mavericks.

In perhaps the most entertaining win of this young season, the Clippers’ full arsenal was on display as they won their 4th straight game. From thunderous Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan flights above the rim to smothering defense, the Los Angeles Clippers shed their habit of lethargic treatment of inferior opponents and applied a 48 minute beat down. The game was so one-sided that Mark Cuban was even caught on the Jumbotron screen sleeping late in the 4th quarter.

After one quarter, the Clippers led by 11. By halftime, they’d scored 60 points and had pushed their cushion to 18.

Blake Griffin scored 19 points (seemingly all on highlight reel dunks) and gobbled up 13 rebounds in 28 minutes, while hitting jumpers from 15 feet out, one of which – a fall away over Shawn Marion – should serve notice that his game is evolving steadily toward elite status. Jamal Crawford once again led the team off the bench with 20 points on 7 for 12 shooting.

And let’s not even get into DeAndre Jordan’s tenacious 12 points on 5-7 shooting, while disrupting everything the Mavs tried to do, offensively. Jordan managed a steal in the second quarter, going the full length of the court for a slam that brought the crowd to its feet.

Chris Paul played only 29 minutes and dished out 13 assists, scoring 14 points on a quiet 5 for 10 field goals.

Again, the Clippers’ bench came through, outscoring the Mav’s reserves 47-34, with Matt Barnes chipping in 11 points and Lamar Odom a modest 4 (though Odom collected 11 rebounds and defended well, overall).

For the Mavericks, Vince Carter led the team in scoring with 16 points, Derick Fisher adding 15 in the starting point guard role, and Shawn Marion and former Clipper Chris Kaman putting in 14 apiece.

The Clippers record now stands at 12-6 with a relatively mild slate of games coming up; indeed, their next eleven opponents are at or below .500.

April 2, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks dancers perform during a timeout from the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The retooled Mavericks come into Staples to take on the Clippers Wednesday night.

The Mavericks are 8-9 coming off their Monday night win over Detroit and will be missing Dirk Nowitski (recovering from knee surgery) and Chris Kaman (strained right calf). Shawn Marion, Darren Collison, and Rodrigue Beaubois are also nursing injuries, but should be available to play.

The Clippers are coming off a big win in Utah to snap the Jazz’ unbeaten home streak and will be bringing the league’s most productive bench unit to compliment their starters. Jamal Crawford leads the team in scoring with 20ppg.

On paper, this matchup looks to be lopsided, but the Mavericks will probably be fired up and hungry to beat the Clippers and upstage former member Lamar Odom, whose disastrous season in Dallas last year still leaves a bitter taste in of their fans’ mouths. Odom has been a solid addition in Los Angeles, which will only make the Mavs play harder. Derrick Fisher has recently joined the Mavericks and is always dangerous with his vast experience over 16 years (12-plus with the Lakers, where he was a member of five championship teams).

In the end, the Clippers talent should prevail, even factoring in their tendency to play down to inferior rosters, so we’ll call it a generous 110-94 for the home team.