James Harden makes point in Clippers' Game 1 win vs. Mavs - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — LA Clippers point guard James Harden said he still has something to prove during the postseason in his highly productive career.

With Kawhi Leonard out for Game 1, Harden had his best first half as a Clipper, scoring 20 of his 28 points to help L.A. build a 29-point lead en route to a 109-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday.

«I can score with the best of 'em,» Harden said. «Still can score with the best of 'em. My role for this team is just generating really good shots and making guys' jobs easier. And then when my number to score is called, then you score the basketball. Obviously, Kawhi is out, so my playmaking and my volume is going to go up a little bit more, and took advantage of it.»

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Despite going without Leonard in the first-round series opener because of inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee, the Clippers put together one of their most inspired performances of the season. Ivica Zubac set the tone early inside and finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds.

The energy and activity on both ends from Russell Westbrook and Terance Mann were critical. And Paul George scored 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to help close it out.

But it was Harden's first-half outside shooting that really provided the Clippers with a different element. Coach Ty Lue spoke to Harden in April when Leonard missed the final eight regular-season games about needing him to