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The Dallas Mavericks and LA Clippers meet for Game 5 of a best-of-7 Western Conference, 1st-round series Wednesday. The series is tied 2-2. Tip-off from Crypto.com Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Mavericks vs. Clippers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Mavericks suffered a disappointing 116-111 loss on their home court in Game 4 as 7-point favorites for the first Over (209) result of the series. It was vintage F Paul George in Game 4, as he and G James Harden each racked up 33 points. PG13 was good for seven 3-pointers to go along with 8 assists, 4 steals and a blocked shot.
The Clippers shot 53.8% (43 of 80) from the field while turning it over just 12 times in the win. LA was on fire from behind the arc, too, cashing in at a 62% (18-of-29) clip (pardon the pun).
On the flip side, the Mavs were 49.4% (40 of 81) from the field, 33.3% (11 of 33) from downtown, and they had 16 turnovers. G Kyrie Irving did his part, dropping 40 points with 6 triples, but it wasn’t enough.
Mavericks at Clippers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:10 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Mavericks -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Clippers +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread: Mavericks -3.5 (-105) | Clippers +3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 209.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Mavericks at Clippers key injuries
Mavericks
- G Luka Doncic (knee) probable
- G Tim Hardaway Jr. (ankle) out
Clippers
- F Kawhi Leonard (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Mavericks at Clippers picks and predictions
Prediction
Mavericks 105, Clippers 101
Moneyline
The MAVERICKS (-155) are still worth playing in this pivotal Game 5 in LA, but there is no longer any margin for error. The Clippers (+125) caught fire from behind the arc in Game 4 and made things extremely difficult for the Mavs in the Metroplex.
If Dallas can’t do better on perimeter defense, it could suddenly get pushed to the brink of elimination after seemingly having the series in hand heading into Game 4 on its home court. I am confident the Mavs can get the job done, however. The defense had allowed 101 points in each of the first 3 games of the series.
Against the spread
The MAVERICKS -3.5 (-105) are a cheaper play laying the little bit of points. Obviously don’t play both the moneyline while also laying the number.
The Mavs and Clippers +2.5 (-105) are both 2-2 ATS in this series while going 4-4 ATS in the past 8 meetings since Feb. 8, 2023, so tread lightly.
Over/Under
UNDER 209.5 (-105) is the lean, but again, go with a half-unit play at most.
The total had gone low in the first 3 games of the series before LA caught fire in Game 4 from behind the 3-point line. It’s possible, but unlikely, that the Clippers will shoot lights out from downtown like that again.
The Under was on a 5-0 run between these 2 sides in the 5 games prior to Game 4, and the Under is still 8-2 in the past 10 battles dating back to Jan. 10, 2023. Lean low.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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