INGLEWDOOD — The margins in the Western Conference get thinner with each game. The pressure to secure one of the top six spots is building on those four teams that continue to jockey for position behind the top teams.

The Clippers are among those feeling the heat, knowing that each win helps them avoid the Play-In Tournament and each loss adds to the gravity of the situation.

“The last 10 games we’ve played so far have been playoff games,” coach Tyronn Lue said of the Clippers’ recent play. “We got to win pretty much every game to solidify that sixth spot, and we understand that.”

Lue said having that intensity and playoff pressure every night can serve as a motivator.

“I see them responding (to the pressure),” Lue added.

The Clippers used that motivation to get a quick jump on the dismantled Dallas Mavericks and didn’t let up, coming away with a 114-91 victory on Friday in the first game of a back-to-back at the Intuit Dome.

The teams play again today, giving the Clippers another opportunity for a stress-free victory. Only they will have to do that without Kawhi Leonard, who, although healthy, is expected to sit out the second game.

“Our No. 1 goal is to make the playoffs, whatever direction we got to go,” Lue said.

The Clippers took another step Friday in the right direction. Their victory, combined with the Golden State Warriors’ victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday, pushed them from No. 8 to No. 7, a game behind the No. 5 Warriors (45-41).

At 45-32, the Clippers are tied with the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves and No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies.

The Clippers, who have now won 13 of their past 16 games, had little trouble maintaining their focus on their playoff goal against the limited Mavericks (38-40).

Power forward Anthony Davis returned to Los Angeles for the first time since being traded from the Lakers to the Mavericks but never got off the bench.

The 10-time All-Star was ruled out before the game with a left adductor strain, the same injury that sidelined him for 18 straight games. Mavs coach Jason Kidd said there is a chance Davis plays Saturday in the second game of the back-to-back.

The Mavericks already were without Kyrie Irving, who had ACL surgery eight days ago, leaving Dallas coach Jason Kidd to adapt a more balanced approach for a team that bears little resemblance to the one that beat the Clippers in December.

Without their two biggest stars, Dallas put up little resistance for the Clippers, who shot a blistering 49.4% from the field and 46.7% from 3-point range. They also outrebounded the Mavericks, 48-39, for their third consecutive victory.

Leonard led the Clippers with 20 points, six rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes, sitting the final 12 minutes of the game. Ivica Zubac posted his 54th double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Guard Norman Powell drilled his second 3-pointer at the 7:29 mark of the second quarter, setting a career high for 3s made in a season. He finished with 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field and 2 of 5 from long-range.

Jamese Harden had a quiet 13 points, four rebounds and five assists, while Bogdan Bogdanovic added 12 points and six assists off the bench.

Naji Marshall had a team-high 22 points for the Mavs, while Spencer Dinwiddie added 18 points and Jaden Hardy scored 16 points before leaving the game late in the fourth with a knee injury.

“We just got to figure out how to win games. I know it is crazy, but we just got to figure out how to win games,” Lue said. “…we just have to stay the course. Just got to win games and get to the playoffs.”