The Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks collide once again at the American Airlines Center on Saturday night.
The Los Angeles Clippers have been in a bit of a rut as they’ve lost four of their past five games overall and they will be hoping to put an end to a three-game slide after getting stopped by the Mavericks in a 112-105 road loss on Thursday. Marcus Morris led the team with 21 points on nine of 16 shooting, Norman Powell added 19 points with six assists while Reggie Jackson chipped in with 18 points and eight assists. As a team, the Clippers shot 48 percent from the field and nine of 23 from the 3-point line as they allowed the Mavericks off to a quick start and never really threatened after falling behind by as many as 17 points.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have been in great shape as they’ve won 11 of their past 15 games overall and they will be hoping to build on a four-game win streak after sneaking past the Clippers on Thursday. Luka Doncic led the team with 51 points, nine rebounds and six assists, Dorian Finney-Smith added 12 points while Reggie Bullock and Jalen Brunson each scored 11 points. As a team, the Mavericks shot 48 percent from the field and 13 of 39 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 36 points in the first quarter to build a 17-point lead, before cruising in the second half as they rode the hot hand of Doncic.
Looking at the betting trends, the Clippers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven road games against a team with a winning home record and 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall. The Mavericks are 4-0 ATS in their last four home games, 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games against a team with a losing record and 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall.
Head to head, the under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings in Dallas and the Clippers are 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings in Dallas.
The Clippers have been dealing with injuries to key players all season, but they could be severely shorthanded in this one as Norman Powell is listed as questionable, while the Mavericks are again without Tim Hardaway Jr, while Davis Bertans and Spencer Dinwiddie have yet to make their debuts. It’s always tough to beat the team twice in a row, but the Clippers had no answer for the Mavericks’ Doncic on Thursday and I think he burns them with another big game here. Give me the Mavericks to stay hot with another win and cover.