Clippers vs. Mavericks Game 4 Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
L.A. will be favoured again on the NBA odds for Game 4 in the Orlando bubble Sunday – but by how much depends on the status of Mavericks star Luka Doncic.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Dallas will be the “home” team for the second game in a row. Rather oddly, home teams are performing a bit better in the bubble with no fans, etc., than they did in the regular season – although the NBA has set things up virtually where the home team does feel at home as possible.
As of this writing, all series and futures odds involving these teams are off the board because of a sprained ankle suffered by Doncic in Game 3. If he’s out a while, this series is over. An argument can be made that the 21-year-old is already the best all-around player in the NBA. The Clippers are 6-1 against the spread in the past seven meetings.
For betting purposes, we will assume Doncic plays.
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles bounced back from a Game 2 loss with the 130-122 victory in Game 3. Former Raptor Kawhi Leonard had 36 points, nine rebounds and six assists. He has been just as good as he was last year in leading Toronto to its first title, averaging 33.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the series. Two things are a tad concerning for L.A., though. Paul George had his second straight subpar game, hitting just 3-for-16 from the field and admitting he’s in a shooting slump. It’s is the first time since George’s rookie season that he has shot below 30 per cent in consecutive playoff games.
In addition, starting point guard and defensive demon Patrick Beverley missed his second game in a row with a left calf injury. The Clippers can win this series without him – especially if Doncic is out – but not the NBA title. Coach Doc Rivers changed things up in Game 3, starting Landry Shamet in place of Beverley instead of Reggie Jackson. Shamet had 18 points in 27 minutes. L.A. shot 52.2 per cent from the field.
Dallas Mavericks
Doncic injured his ankle in the third quarter Friday and did return for a bit but then went to the locker room for good early in the fourth as he clearly was hampered. He managed a triple-double of 13 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes, becoming the third-youngest player in NBA history with his first career playoff triple-double. Only Magic Johnson and LeBron James had their first at a younger age.
These are the playoffs so one tends to think Doncic will play Sunday if at all possible, although that it’s an afternoon game instead of Sunday night doesn’t help matters. The Clippers were much more physical defensively with him than the first two games but that had nothing to do with the injury. If he can’t play, Seth Curry would likely start. He had 22 points off the bench in Game 3. Tim Hardaway Jr. also would become much more of an offensive factor. He also had 22 points Friday.
LAC
DAL