The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on Tuesday.

The Mavericks (9-7) come into this matchup in the midst of a three-game losing streak, taking two straight losses against the Phoenix Suns. That's the hottest team in the NBA right now, and it makes it really tough with Dallas missing their superstar point guard. That happens to be Luka Doncic, who re-aggravated his knee/ankle issue at practice on Monday. That makes it hard to imagine that he'll be ready to go here, and Mavs fans just want it to be a short absence. Guys like Tim Hardaway Jr, Jalen Brunson and Kristaps Porzingis have been excellent in his absence, but it's too challenging to overcome losing a guy who averages nearly 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists per game.

The Clippers (10-7) enter this matchup losing three of their last five games, which followed up a season-best seven-game winning streak. What makes the losses really bizarre is the competition, losing to teams like the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies. Both of those clubs have struggled mightily over recent weeks, and it has fans wondering exactly where this Clippers team is at right now. The consistencies of the individuals are what's really costing them, with Eric Bledsoe, Reggie Jackson and Ivica Zubac playing all over the map. Those three guys were terrific during the winning streak, but the poor stretch directly correlates with their struggles. There is word that Marcus Morris will make his season debut here, though, and that'd be a welcomed sight for a team desperately missing Kawhi Leonard.

These teams played back on November 21, with Los Angeles winning, 97-91. These clubs have now traded off wins in each of their last five meetings, with Los Angeles winning six of their last eight games in this series.