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Jeremy Perry
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Game 5 Prediction, Playoff Odds
Los Angeles won their second straight game in Dallas by a score of 106-81. Surprisingly enough, the home team has lost every single game in this series heading into Game 5. Will the home team finally pick up a win and take a one game lead in the series or will the Mavericks win and keep the streak alive on the road?
Mavericks vs. Clippers NBA Playoff Odds
The Mavericks are 4-0 ATS in their past four matchups when coming into the game as the road underdog. They were the underdogs during the first two games of this series on the road and yet were able to pull off consecutive wins in a tough environment.
Meanwhile, the Clippers allowed 90 points or less in a game four times this season. They were 3-1 SU and ATS in the game right after that. They are now 21-13 SU and ATS against teams with a winning record this season.
Dallas Mavericks
Momentum has completely shifted in this series. Through Games 1 and 2, the Mavericks couldn’t miss. Luka Doncic was playing like an MVP and appeared to be unstoppable. In Game 3, he only put up 19 points on nine-of-24 shooting from the field. Oddly enough, he’s been terrible at the free throw line, going 0-of-5. His sidekick, Kristaps Porzingis, was the butt of many Twitter jokes after Game 3 but he was effective in Game 4, pouring in 18 points along with five rebounds and a block. However, this team shot consistently well in Games 1 and 2 but they were absolutely awful last game. As a team they shot 34.8 percent from the floor and a measly 16.7 percent from behind the arc.
The Mavericks can’t get discouraged, though, because they were able to dismantle the Clippers on the road twice already and can do it once again. The biggest question though will be the health of Doncic, who appears to be nursing a bum shoulder.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers had an all-around stellar performance in Game 4. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined for 49 points on high efficiency while two other starters also scored 10+ points. It seemed like all of their role players were hitting shots and snatching rebounds to prevent any second chance points. It is a pleasant surprise to see the Clippers battle back into this series after dropping both of their home games but they have found a way. If Los Angeles wants to win their third straight contest, they will need fantastic play from both Leonard and George once again. They will also need to keep their focus defensively as chances are Luka will not have another poor game like the last one.
The Clippers have to feel good about themselves, though, as they’ve prided themselves on their defense this year. They allowed at 120.0 points per game through in the first two but cut that down to 94.5 in the last two. If they keep that up, they’ll have their first lead of the series.
DAL
LAC