Tuesday night features two dominant Western Conference teams when the LA Clippers head to Texas to face the Dallas Mavericks.
The Clippers have won three straight games leading into this one, going 2-1 against the spread.
The Mavericks have their own hot streak going, winning four in a row with a record of 3-0-1 ATS.
With both teams looking to advance their positioning in the Western Conference, this Tuesday night matchup has big implications. The Clippers head into Dallas as 1.5-point underdogs, so who to choose in this one?
Ready To Dominate Dallas
The Clippers have the second-best record in the Western Conference, following closely behind the Los Angeles Lakers with a record of 30-13. Tuesday night gives them an opportunity to continue chasing their fellow California team if they’re able to get a win over a Mavericks team that is on fire. Los Angeles has its own streak going though, winning three straight games against the Cavaliers, Magic and Pelicans.
The Clippers rank as the league’s fourth-best scoring team and the third-best rebounding squad, and with players like Kawhi Leonard and Lou Williams leading the charge, the Mavericks defense will have its hands full.
What some people fail to realize is how good the Clippers’ defense is, allowing just 109.6 points per game, as they’ve been able to shut down some hot offenses.
The most important factor to consider when talking about the Clippers is health. Leonard has done well to stay healthy and rest when he needs to. The only Clippers player that will miss Tuesday night’s game is Paul George, who is still dealing with a hamstring injury.
Here’s where things get a little tricky for the Clippers, although they’ve done well in their last three games, Los Angeles is 2-5 ATS in its last seven games.
With a record of 23-20 overall against the spread, the Clippers have been mediocre at best. Keep in mind that the Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games against Western Conference opponents.
Looking To Clip The Clippers
The Mavericks are just a really exciting team to watch. With players like Luka Doncic leading the team and a strong supporting class, the Mavericks have established themselves as one of the best teams out there.
With Dallas having the league’s third-best scoring offense and the fourth-best rebounding team tells you just how close this game against the Clippers is going to be. Doncic and the Mavericks will be coming off a big win against the Trail Blazers and get to welcome the Clippers at home, where they boast a 13-10 record.
The Mavericks are also dealing with one key injury, as Kristaps Porzingis could be sitting out of Tuesday night’s game while he deals with a knee injury, which will affect the Mavericks’ rebounding and scoring on offense. Porzingis, who has missed 10 straight games, is hoping to give it a go, but it’s still up in the air heading to game time.
If he can’t go, Doncic and Tim Hardaway Jr. will take the workload in this one, which has proven to work well, especially in their recent win against Portland.
Against the spread, the Mavericks have looked great all year, going 3-0-1 in their last four with an overall record of 22-18-2 putting them slightly above average. The last time these two teams played ended in disappointment for the Mavericks, losing 114-99 and not covering the 1.5-point spread.
Pick and Prediction
Some might think I’m crazy for taking the Clippers in this one, but I promise you there is a reason for it. It’s mostly because this game has big implications for the Clippers if they’re able to grab a big win on the road after the Lakers just got crushed by the Celtics.
The Mavericks are a great basketball team, definitely one of the best scoring teams in the league, but for some reason, they haven’t played great at home. Facing the Clippers is a tough challenge for anyone, and I don’t see the Mavericks being able to pull this one out.
Leonard is playing his best basketball and has one of the strongest supporting casts in the league. Look for Kawhi and Co. to get a big win on the road. I’m taking the Clippers +1.5.
