Dallas Mavericks (50-33) vs. LA Clippers (52-31)
April 23, 2024 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: LA Clippers +2.5; Over/Under: +219.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers duke it out in a pivotal Game 2 NBA action at the Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night. Here’s a Dallas Mavericks vs LA Clippers prediction.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks will be hoping to bounce back in this one after getting routed by the Clippers in a 109-97 road loss in Game 1 on Sunday. Luka Doncic led the team with 33 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, Kyrie Irving added 31 points with seven rebounds and four assists while PJ Washington chipped in with 11 points, but no other player scored more than six points. As a team, the Mavericks shot just 38 percent from the field and 10 of 33 from the 3-point line as they got off to a nightmare start and just left themselves too much ground to make up after scoring just eight points in the second quarter to finish with 30 points for the half.
Los Angeles Clippers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers will be brimming with confidence after drawing first blood with a dominant win in Game 1. James Harden led the team with 28 points and eight assists, Paul George added 22 points while Ivica Zubac chipped in with 20 points and 15 rebounds. As a team, the Clippers shot 46 percent from the field and 18 of 36 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 34 points in the first quarter, before they restricted the Mavericks to just eight points in the second quarter to take a 29-point lead. Kawhi Leonard sat this one out, but it didn’t matter with the Clippers defense setting up the big win.
Los Angeles Clippers Team Facts
- The Clippers have won 15 of their last 16 night games following a home win.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games against Southwest Division opponents after winning as underdogs.
- Each of the Clippers’ last nine home games against Southwest Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Dallas Mavericks Team Facts
- The Mavericks have won each of their last six games against Pacific Division opponents after losing as favorites.
- The Mavericks have covered the spread in each of their last six games against Pacific Division opponents after losing as favorites.
- Each of the Mavericks’ last 10 games against Pacific Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Dallas Mavericks vs LA Clippers prediction
The Mavericks are coming into this meeting with the same squad, while the Clippers are keeping an eye on Kawhi Leonard who is currently listed as questionable for this one. The Mavericks know they can bounce back right away as long as they get more help from their role players. The Mavericks can’t afford to get off to another slow start, as the Clippers looked great in their first game of the playoffs. It’s easy to become a victim of recency bias, but as good as the Clippers looked on Sunday, I still think the Mavericks can flip the script. The Mavs can steal home-court advantage if they get a big game from someone like Maxi Kleber or Tim Hardaway Jr.
