The winner of Game 3 in a tied best-of-7 NBA playoff series usually goes on to take the series, so it’s a crucial Western Conference first-round matchup Friday between the second-seeded Los Angeles Clippers and No. 7 Dallas Mavericks from the Orlando bubble. L.A. opened as a 5-point favourite on the NBA odds.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Dallas upset Los Angeles 127-114 in Game 2 on Wednesday to tie the series at 1-1, and the Mavs will be the “home” team for the first time Friday, although that only means different uniforms and virtual Dallas fans and court setup.

The total of 232.5 for Game 3 is easily the highest number of Friday’s four games from Orlando. The favoured winning margin is Clippers by 3-6 points at +450. Dallas winning by 13 points again is +1600. The long shot is Mavericks by 21 or more at +4000.

On the updated futures odds, the Clippers are -500 series favourites with the Mavs at +350. In a bit of a surprise, L.A. winning in five is the favoured exact series result at +225. The Clippers remain +150 Western Conference favourites, with Dallas at +1800.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers were somewhat fortunate to win Game 1 as they were trailing by five points in the third quarter until Dallas big man Kristaps Porzingis was ejected for two very questionable technical fouls. In Game 2, Los Angeles was simply the inferior team, although it wasn’t helped by starting point guard Patrick Beverley sitting out in a surprise with a left calf injury. Beverley, a defensive dynamo, did play in Game 1. He’s questionable for Friday.

Reggie Jackson is a much better scorer than Beverley and had 11 points on Wednesday but is terrible on defence. Former Raptor Kawhi Leonard did his part in Game 2 with 35 points and 10 rebounds, but Paul George did not as he battled foul trouble and was 4-for-17 from the field for 14 points. George has a bit of a history of struggling in playoff games. The Clippers are 8-1 ATS in their past nine following a double-digit loss.

Dallas Mavericks

One huge difference for the Mavs in Game 2 was that they had just nine turnovers compared to 21 in Game 1 when superstar Luka Doncic had a career-high 11. He had just one Wednesday and had 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists despite being limited to 28 minutes due to foul trouble. Doncic became the second player in NBA postseason history to score 70 points through his first two career playoff games, joining Hall of Famer George Mikan (75 in 1949).

Porzingis was a bit in question for Game 2 with a sore knee but had 23 points and seven rebounds. The Clippers have the best bench in the league, but it was the Dallas bench that stepped up in Game 2 with 47 points. No Mavericks reserve had a negative plus-minus rating. Dallas is 1-4 ATS in its past five after a win.

Who Will Win Clippers vs. Mavericks?

Injuries

L.A. Clippers

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Prob Thurs Calf - 19 / 08 / 20

Paul George (SF)

day-to-day Rest - 14 / 08 / 20

Landry Shamet (PG)

Ques Mon Foot - 11 / 08 / 20

Paul George (SF)

day-to-day Rest - 09 / 08 / 20

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Out indefinitely Calf - 04 / 08 / 20

Amir Coffey (SG)

Prob Sat Hip - 31 / 07 / 20

Lou Williams (SG)

Prob Tues Personal - 24 / 07 / 20

Patrick Beverley (PG)

Doub Thurs Personal - 21 / 07 / 20

Ivica Zubac (C)

Ques Thurs Illness - 21 / 07 / 20

Montrezl Harrell (PF)

Prob Mon Personal - 17 / 07 / 20

Dallas

Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)

Prob Sun Neck - 29 / 08 / 20

Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)

Prob Sun Hip - 26 / 08 / 20

Trey Burke (PG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 26 / 08 / 20

Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)

Prob Tues Hip - 25 / 08 / 20

Trey Burke (PG)

Prob Tues Ankle - 24 / 08 / 20

Kristaps Porzingis (PF)

out for season Knee - 22 / 08 / 20

Trey Burke (PG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 22 / 08 / 20

Kristaps Porzingis (PF)

Prob Fri Heel - 20 / 08 / 20

Trey Burke (PG)

Prob Fri Ankle - 20 / 08 / 20

Kristaps Porzingis (PF)

Prob Wed Knee - 18 / 08 / 20

Injuries

L.A. Clippers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Prob Thurs	Calf - 19 / 08 / 20	6-6	4-6-2	+ -
Beverley has a left calf strain, but he is expected to suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference second round versus the Nuggets.
Paul George (SF)	day-to-day	Rest - 14 / 08 / 20	8-6	5-7-2	+ -
George did not play the previous game as he was resting. It is unknown when he will return to the lineup.
Landry Shamet (PG)	Ques Mon	Foot - 11 / 08 / 20	8-7	6-7-2	+ -
Shamet has a sprained left foot, and it is uncertain if he will face the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Paul George (SF)	day-to-day	Rest - 09 / 08 / 20	9-7	7-7-2	+ -
George will not be in the lineup Sunday against the Nets, as he will receive the day off for rest.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Out indefinitely	Calf - 04 / 08 / 20	11-8	9-8-2	+ -
Beverley is sidelined with a left calf strain, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Amir Coffey (SG)	Prob Sat	Hip - 31 / 07 / 20	12-8	9-9-2	+ -
Coffey is dealing with a left hip pointer, but he is expected to be available for Saturday's contest against the Pelicans.
Lou Williams (SG)	Prob Tues	Personal - 24 / 07 / 20	12-8	9-9-2	+ -
Williams has missed the last two games as he is following NBA protocol and self isolating. He is expected to be cleared to return for Tuesday's matchup with the Suns.
Patrick Beverley (PG)	Doub Thurs	Personal - 21 / 07 / 20	-	-	+ -
Beverley has returned to the team after an urgent family matter but is now self isolating. It is unlikely that he will line up against the Lakers on Thursday.
Ivica Zubac (C)	Ques Thurs	Illness - 21 / 07 / 20	-	-	+ -
Zubac has rejoined the team after healing from a bout of COVID-19, but it is unclear if he will take the court Thursday versus the Lakers.
Montrezl Harrell (PF)	Prob Mon	Personal - 17 / 07 / 20	-	-	+ -
Harrell is going through quarantine, but it is projected that he will take part in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Mavericks.

Dallas

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)	Prob Sun	Neck - 29 / 08 / 20	0-0	0-0	+ -
Hardaway Jr. is hampered by a cervical strain, but he is expected to be active for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)	Prob Sun	Hip - 26 / 08 / 20	1-1	2-0	+ -
Finney-Smith is tending to a left hip strain and right hip soreness. It is anticipated that he will be available for Game 6 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers.
Trey Burke (PG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 26 / 08 / 20	1-1	2-0	+ -
Burke is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but he is likely to face the Clippers in Game 6 of the Western Conference first round.
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)	Prob Tues	Hip - 25 / 08 / 20	1-1	2-0	+ -
Finney-Smith is bothered by a left hip strain and right hip soreness. It is anticipated that he will be active for Game 5 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers.
Trey Burke (PG)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 24 / 08 / 20	1-1	2-0	+ -
Burke is expected to play in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round despite a left ankle sprain.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)	out for season	Knee - 22 / 08 / 20	2-2	4-0	+ -
Porzingis is sidelined with a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee and will miss the remainder of the Western Conference first round.
Trey Burke (PG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 22 / 08 / 20	2-2	4-0	+ -
Burke is expected to suit up for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round against the Clippers despite a left ankle sprain.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)	Prob Fri	Heel - 20 / 08 / 20	2-3	4-1	+ -
Porzingis is likely to take on the Clippers in Game 3 of the Western Conference first round despite a left heel contusion.
Trey Burke (PG)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 20 / 08 / 20	2-3	4-1	+ -
Burke is expected to suit up for Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Clippers despite a left ankle sprain.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 18 / 08 / 20	2-4	4-2	+ -
Porzingis is nursing a sore right knee, but it is anticipated that he will play against the Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round.