-
Jeremy Perry
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 3 Prediction, Playoff Odds
The NBA’s best 3-point shooting team in the regular season was outshot once again in Game 2 on Tuesday. The Dallas Mavericks were able to ride the excellence of Luka Doncic to get them a 127-121 win and give them a 2-0 lead in the series. Dallas has now won both road games and will force the Los Angeles Clippers to battle back in a tough environment on the road.
The Clippers were supposed to be among the NBA Championship favourites, but they haven’t shown much in their first two playoff games. Can they turn this around or is this who they are?
Clippers vs. Mavericks NBA Playoff Odds
L.A. is a 2-point favourite to win on the NBA odds with a total of 219.5.
The Clippers are 2-6 against the spread in their last six road games and their current situation doesn’t look good. They were just 4-8 ATS this season when playing on two days’ rest.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks are 7-1 ATS in their past eight games when going up against a team with a winning straight up record. They’re clearly in the Clippers’ heads as Los Angeles has now lost five straight playoff games.
Los Angeles Clippers
The role players for Los Angeles simply didn’t show up to play again on Tuesday. After a very disappointing Game 1, Kawhi Leonard was phenomenal in Game 2, with 41 points, 30 of which were scored in the first half of action. Paul George also shot 54 per cent from the field and added 28 points of his own. However, Marcus Morris Sr., Patrick Beverley and Ivica Zubac shot a combined 5-for-15 from the floor. All of them had a negative plus-minus of 10 or higher. The Clippers may have a superstar duo that contributes both offensively and defensively, but this team is being flat out stomped on by the 22-year-old Doncic and company.
The Clippers defence has also been a huge disappointment. They were fourth in the regular season in points per game allowed at 107.8 but they’ve allowed at least 113 in each contest. If the Clippers want to remain in this series, they will need to lock up defensively and get better production from their role players.
Dallas Mavericks
Just when you though the Mavericks couldn’t possibly outshoot their stellar performance in Game 1, they came out and did just that in Game 2. After dropping 17 three-pointers in the series opener, Dallas was 18-for-34 from beyond the arc in Game 2. Doncic was unbelievable yet again, compiling 39 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. He had a lot of help from his bench crew as well, with Tim Hardaway Jr. proving to be critical to this roster with his six threes and 28 points. Dallas seems to know how to take down this Clippers team and are now heading back home with a substantial series lead. They just have to stay focused and not get ahead of themselves.
LAC
DAL