The Los Angeles Clippers (45-22) face the Dallas Mavericks (41-29) Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET in the NBA’s Orlando bubble. We analyze the Clippers-Mavericks NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Clippers vs. Mavericks: Key injuries
Clippers
- PG Pat Beverley (calf) out
- PF Montrezl Harrell (personal) out
Mavericks
- SG Seth Curry (leg) doubtful
- C Willie Cauley-Stein (personal) out
- SG Courtney Lee (calf) out
- PF Dwight Powell (Achilles) out
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Clippers vs. Mavericks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Clippers 112, Mavericks 104
Moneyline (ML)
The Clippers (-189) dropped their last game to the Phoenix Suns, 117-115, thanks to a game-winning shot by SG Devin Booker. The loss puts Los Angeles at 1-2 since the restart. They lost opening night to the Los Angeles Lakers and crushed the New Orleans Pelicans by 23 points.
Not playing at peak form might incentivize the Clippers’ stars to take this game a little more seriously than recent performances from other NBA Finals contenders. Also, the Denver Nuggets still have a shot at running down Los Angeles for the 2-seed.
The Mavericks (+155) struggled in their last game against the Sacramento Kings but ended up pulling out an overtime win, 114-110. G Luka Doncic had one of the better games of the entire NBA restart, filling the box score with 34 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists.
Let me caveat this by saying, IF we get a fully locked in Clippers team then this is a great matchup for them.
Los Angeles is 2-0, straight up and against the spread, so far this season against Dallas; however, there’s no way I’m paying that much for a Clippers moneyline regardless of how much I like the matchup. PASS ON THE MONEYLINE.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Looking ahead, these teams would be pitted against each other in a 2-versus 7-seed series in the playoffs. The Clippers -4.5 (-110) are 4-1 ATS in the last five games against Dallas. Los Angeles has the fourth-best against the spread winning percentage in the NBA (37-30 ATS).
Even with Beverely out, the Clippers have so many bodies they can throw at Doncic to make his day difficult. He could end up getting two quarters against SF Marcus Morris and then a second-half against SF Kawhi Leonard and SG Paul George. Despite Luka’s brilliance, I cannot think of a bigger nightmare for a second-year player.
BET THE CLIPPERS -4.5 (-110). New to sports betting? A $110 bet on the Clippers -4.5 (-110) yields a profit of $100 if the Clippers win by five or more points.
Over/Under (O/U)
Both Clippers-Mavericks games earlier this season went Under the projected total because Los Angeles played their tempo in its wins. They have elite defensive wings who make life uncomfortable for Luka.
Yes, the Mavericks are the most efficient offense in the NBA, but the Clippers are ranked fourth in defensive efficiency and their 2019-20 shows Los Angeles’ defense smothers Dallas’ offense.
It’s rare that I play a total but I LIKE UNDER 230.5 (-110).
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