Liam McNeeley was the MVP for Team Air at the Jordan Brand Classic. He showed his high-level feel for the game, shotmaking ability, competitive nature and underrated length. McNeeley is big-time and the jumper is smooth. He begins his official visit at UConn tomorrow.

Pelicans missing so many chances, bobbled balls, missed rebounds . . .

The Mavericks face a few questions after Sunday's Game 1 loss to the Clippers. Among them:

- How can they slow down Ivica Zubac?
- Can they accomplish that while involving Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II more as lob threats?

More from Brad Townsend:

dallasnews.com/sports/maveric…

From Mike Curtis:

Luka Doncic admits lack of aggressiveness in Game 1 loss to Clippers: ‘That was my bad’ dallasnews.com/sports/maveric…

How can Mavs respond after Ivica Zubac emerged as Clippers’ paint-dominant ‘X factor’? dallasnews.com/sports/maveric…

From Kevin Sherrington:

Mavericks’ Jason Kidd, outcoached by Clippers’ Tyronn Lue, can’t risk a 2-0 series deficit dallasnews.com/sports/maveric…

What the Clippers said about the Mavericks after dominating Game 1 dallasnews.com/sports/maveric…

Doncic “not sure why”’Mavs came out flat.

Irving: “This obviously was a big test and we failed it” . . . but says there were positive signs after Mavs finally adjusted to the physicality.

Gafford said his ankle injury 'is too nothing serious; I'll be fine.' Rolled his ankle trying to defend in transition against Paul George.

Gafford takes responsibility for Zubac’s big start and Dallas failing to respond early to Clippers’ physicality.

The 2023-24 #KiaMVP finalists:

⭐️ Luka Dončić
⭐️ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
⭐️ Nikola Jokić

Kidd when asked why Gafford wasn’t able to impose his will as he has in recent weeks.

The only game 1 the Mavs have won since 2011 was 2021 against the Clippers.

Well, somebody got a trophy today. A sweaty one.

Final: #Clippers 109, #Mavs 97.

The final score doesn't tell the whole story. DAL trailed by as many as 29 points in this one.

Luka Doncic (33) & Kyrie Irving (31) combined for 64 points after a slow 1st half.

James Harden turned back the clock to deliver 28 pts & 8 assists.

Clippers from 3-point range: 14-of-27.
Mavs: 6-of-23.

Clippers 87, Dallas 64 after 3 quarters.

Clipper fans are so traumatized that a 23 point lead feels like a 13 point lead.

Gafford available to return, Mavs say.

The old Mavs showed up today, the Mavs who were overly reliant on 3-pointers.

Dallas is 2-for-18 on 3-pointers (11.1%). Make sure to include the .1.