Luka 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).
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?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 20 Aug 4:52am | LAC | -4.5 -110 | O +233 -110 |
Closing 21 Aug 11:52pm | LAC | -5.5 -110 | O +231 -110 |
Injuries
Patrick Beverley (PG)
Paul George (SF)
Landry Shamet (PG)
Paul George (SF)
Patrick Beverley (PG)
Amir Coffey (SG)
Lou Williams (SG)
Patrick Beverley (PG)
Ivica Zubac (C)
Montrezl Harrell (PF)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Trey Burke (PG)
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Trey Burke (PG)
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Trey Burke (PG)
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Trey Burke (PG)
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Injuries
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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
-
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
119 -
DALLAS MAVERICKS
112
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 20 Aug 4:52am LAC -4.5 -110 O +233 -110 Closing 21 Aug 11:52pm LAC -5.5 -110 O +231 -110 -
Injuries
Patrick Beverley (PG)
Prob Thurs Calf - 19 / 08 / 20Paul George (SF)
day-to-day Rest - 14 / 08 / 20Landry Shamet (PG)
Ques Mon Foot - 11 / 08 / 20Paul George (SF)
day-to-day Rest - 09 / 08 / 20Patrick Beverley (PG)
Out indefinitely Calf - 04 / 08 / 20Amir Coffey (SG)
Prob Sat Hip - 31 / 07 / 20Lou Williams (SG)
Prob Tues Personal - 24 / 07 / 20Patrick Beverley (PG)
Doub Thurs Personal - 21 / 07 / 20Ivica Zubac (C)
Ques Thurs Illness - 21 / 07 / 20Montrezl Harrell (PF)
Prob Mon Personal - 17 / 07 / 20Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Prob Sun Neck - 29 / 08 / 20Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Prob Sun Hip - 26 / 08 / 20Trey Burke (PG)
Prob Sun Ankle - 26 / 08 / 20Dorian Finney-Smith (SF)
Prob Tues Hip - 25 / 08 / 20Trey Burke (PG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 24 / 08 / 20Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
out for season Knee - 22 / 08 / 20Trey Burke (PG)
Prob Sun Ankle - 22 / 08 / 20Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Prob Fri Heel - 20 / 08 / 20Trey Burke (PG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 20 / 08 / 20Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Prob Wed Knee - 18 / 08 / 20Injuries
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.
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.