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The Dallas Mavericks welcome the LA Clippers to American Airlines Center Friday. Tip for Game 3 in the 1st-round best-of-7 Western Conference series is set for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Clippers vs. Mavericks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Playoff series: Tied 1-1
The Mavericks stole a game in Los Angeles, winning the 2nd game 96-93 on Tuesday as a 1-point underdog. G Luka Doncic led the team with 32 points and also chipped in a team-high 3 steals. Dallas was 1-2 straight up and against the spread (ATS) during the regular season against the Clippers and is 1-1 ATS in the 2 playoff games. Dallas ended the regular season 48-34 ATS.
The Clippers beat the Mavericks 109-97 at home in Game 1, covering as a 3-point home underdog. Three players scored 20 or more for the Clippers with G James Harden leading the way with 28 points. The Clippers struggled to close the regular season, losing and failing to cover in 3 straight. They ended the regular season 38-44 ATS and were 20-21 ATS on the road.
Clippers at Mavericks odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:59 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Clippers +162 (bet $100 to win $162) | Mavericks -194 (bet $194 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Clippers +4.5 (-108) | Mavericks -4.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 211.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Clippers at Mavericks key injuries
Clippers
- F Kawhi Leonard (knee) questionable
Mavericks
- C Daniel Gafford (back) questionable
- F Tim Hardaway Jr. (ankle) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Clippers at Mavericks picks and predictions
Prediction
Mavericks 106, Clippers 103
Moneyline
PASS.
The Mavericks are too expensive to play outright as a moneyline favorite. -196 is just too steep to take here. The Clippers (+162) have a bit of value as a moneyline underdog, but the preferred play is them on the spread.
Against the spread
BET CLIPPERS +4.5 (-108).
The Mavericks don’t have an elite defense, ranked 18th in defensive rating during the season. Dallas held G Norman Powell and G Russell Westbrook to 4-for-19 shooting. Expect those players to shoot better, and the Clippers to shoot over the 36.8% that they did in Game 2.
LA is getting too many points as it has a regular-season win in Dallas this season. The Mavericks were the 2nd-best covering team in the NBA at 49-35 ATS but were just 21-20 ATS at home this season. As long as 2-time NBA Champion F Kawhi Leonard plays — keep an eye on his status — the Clippers should be able to keep things close.
For this value, back CLIPPERS +4.5 (-108).
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 211.5 (-110).
This series has been played at an ultra-slow tempo with the Mavericks ending Game 2 with 76 shots (they averaged 89.7 during the regular season. The Clippers sit 20th in pace, so they won’t want to play any faster.
Neither team hits the glass at a high rate to produce second-chance efforts and easy buckets. The Mavs rank 25th in offensive rebounding rate with the Clippers 17th.
Dallas was 36-46 O/U on the season and have gone Under in 5 straight games and in 8 of its last 10. The Clippers were 38-44 O/U on the season and have gone Under in 4 straight games and in 8 of their last 11.
Considering those trends, take UNDER 211.5 (-110).
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