Game 1 Predictions & Odds: Mavericks vs. Clippers

• August 16, 2020
• By Tony Mejia
• VegasInsider.com

The opening day of NBA playoff action concludes with the West's 2-7 pairing taking center stage at AdventHealth Arena.

The No. 2-seeded Los Angeles Clippers meet the No. 7 seed Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of their best-of-seven first-round series.

Betting Resources

• Matchup: Game 1
• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Venue: AdventHealth Arena
• Location: Orlando, Florida
• Date: Monday, Aug. 17, 2020
• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
• Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet | All

Betting Odds - Mavericks vs. Clippers

The L.A. Clippers opened as a five-point favorite at DraftKings but were quickly bet to six, which is where the line has remained as of Sunday evening.

The total opened at 229.5 at DraftKings, 230.5 at MGM and 231 at 231.5 at Caesars and Westgate and has hovered in the 229.5-231 range since. Be sure to follow all the line movements.

Point-Spread Odds

• Clippers -6
• Mavericks +6

Money-Line Odds

• Clippers -250 (Bet $100 to win $40)
• Mavericks +210 (Bet $100 to win $210)

Total Odds

• Over 230
• Under 230

Series Odds

• Clippers -450
• Mavericks +375

Inside the Betting Stats

(Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS)

Overall

• Dallas: 43-32 SU, 37-35-3 ATS
• Los Angeles: 49-23 SU, 41-31 ATS

Bubble

• Dallas: 3-5 SU, 2-6 ATS
• Los Angeles: 5-3 SU, 6-2 ATS

The Clippers have been considered one of the favorites to claim this season's NBA title since landing Kawhi Leonard and Paul George over a year ago and haven't been completely whole most of the season for one reason or another. Despite this, they were one of the better teams against the number, finishing in a three-way tie for 41 covers, second only to Oklahoma City (44). They covered in six of eight seeding contests.

Dallas played the most games (75) of any team this season, tying Portland, and surprised by contending for a Southwest Division title until ultimately slowing down in Orlando. The Mavericks were an underdog in six of their eight bubble battles and won outright twice, overcoming the Bucks and Jazz as six-point 'dogs. Luka Doncic averaged 30 points, 10.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists in seeding games. Kristaps Porzingis averaged 30.4 points and 9.7 rebounds.

Over-Under Total Notes Totals Report

Overall

• Dallas: 45-30 O/U
• Los Angeles: 34-37-1 O/U

Bubble

• Dallas: 5-3 O/U
• Los Angeles: 5-3 O/U

The Mavs gave up 126 or more points in five of their eight seeding games, which includes surrendering 153 points against Houston in their opener. The 'under' went 3-1 when they were held to 115 or fewer points, which is lower than the 117.0 they averaged for the season. Not surprisingly, they were 1-3 SU and 0-4 ATS when failing to reach their season average. Only the Blazers saw the 'over' connect as much as Dallas.

The Clippers pride themselves on defense since they have three of the best individual defenders in the game on the roster, but Patrick Beverley barely played due to a calf injury, last suiting up on Aug. 4. The high side connected in five of L.A.'s last six seeding games but still remains down for the season in games involving the Clippers.

Mavericks vs. Clippers Head-to-Head