Clippers vs. Mavericks Predictions, Odds, Preview



May 28, 2021
by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

Western Conference postseason action will resume on Friday night with the Clippers and Mavericks set to square off for Game 3 during the final matchup on ESPN’s nationally televised slate.

So, VI is getting you ready with a variety of betting resources to help handicap all the evening’s top contests.

Clippers vs. Mavericks Betting Resources

Betting Odds - Clippers vs. Mavericks

Line Movements

Subject to Change

  • Spread: Clippers -2
  • Money-Line: L.A. -135, Dallas +115
  • Total: 219.5

Despite dropping back-to-back contests in the Staples Center to open this series, the Clippers travel to The Lone Star State as a two-point favorite over the homestanding Mavericks – after L. A. was favored by an average of six-and-a-half points across Dallas’ victories in Games 1 and 2.

The total for this event currently sits at OU 219.5 – which is a few notches higher on the totem pole after these teams combined for 248 points in Game 2 this past Tuesday.


Paul George and the Clippers look to climb back into their series with the Mavericks on Friday. (AP)

Clippers vs. Mavericks Current Form

After riding a rollercoaster of injury concerns for most of the year, the Mavericks got healthy down the homestretch before the playoffs and managed to successfully wrap up their campaign on a high note – as Dallas closed out the regular season on a 9-3 stretch that included tough victories over the Nets, Heat, and Warriors during that span.

On the other hand, the Clippers experienced some unusual shooting struggles down the homestretch of the regular season – resulting in losses in six of their last 10 contests and a plummet down to fourth place in the conference, which landed them this troublesome first-round matchup to begin with.

L.A.’s woes at the offensive end have carried into the postseason too – with the Clippers knocking down just 32% of their three-point attempts during the first two matchups of this series, which can mainly be attributed to Paul George’s 3-of-15 clip across those affairs.

Clippers vs. Mavericks Head-to-Head

  • May 25, 2021 - Mavericks 127 at Clippers 121, Dallas +7, Over 216
  • May 22, 2021 - Mavericks 113 at Clippers 103, Dallas +6, Under 217.5
  • Mar. 17, 2021 - Mavericks 105 vs. Clippers 89, Dallas +2.5, Under 225.5
  • Mar. 15, 2020 - Clippers 109 at Mavericks 99, L.A. -1.5, Under 229
  • Dec. 27, 2020 - Mavericks 124 at Clippers 73, Dallas +3, Under 227.5

Dallas won two of three matchups against the Clippers prior to the start of the playoffs, with all three of those affairs comfortably staying 'under' the total set for Tuesday’s tilt (219.5) – thanks to the losers in those contests averaging just 87 points per game in them.

The Mavericks have dominated during their victories over Los Angeles this year – with Dallas claiming its first pair of victories against the Clippers by an average of 33.5 points, and more recently by an average of eight points across Games 1 and 2 in this series.

On the flip side, the Clippers lone victory over Dallas also came by a double-digit margin – but honestly, I think L.A. just happened to catch Luka Doncic on a bad night in that matchup, as the Mavericks’ primary scorer posted a desperate 25 points on 23 shot attempts during the 10-point loss.

Obviously, times are very different now – but these teams also squared off during the opening round of last year’s playoffs back in the NBA bubble, which resulted in a six-game series win for the Clippers.


(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

L.A. Clippers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 47-27 SU, 39-34-1 ATS, 36-36-2 OU
  • Home: 21-15 SU, 18-17-1 ATS, 18-18 OU

After getting knocked off by Denver in the second round of last year’s postseason, I expected the Clippers to come out playing much better than they have in their opening pair of contests to kickstart this series – heading to Dallas trailing Doncic and company by two games, with only two potential-home matchups left on the schedule for L. A. in this set.

Betting the total in Clippers’ games was a rollercoaster ride from start to finish during the regular season – with the total finishing up at a 34-36-2 clip in matchups containing Los Angeles.

The Clippers have leaned towards the high-scoring side of the spectrum lately though – highlighted by ‘over’ results in three of their last four matchups.

Dallas Mavericks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

  • Overall: 44-30 SU, 37-37 ATS, 35-39 OU
  • Road: 21-15 SU, 15-21 ATS, 16-20 OU

The Mavericks played relatively pedestrian basketball for most of the regular season thanks to a variety of injury concerns and some really poor defensive stretches.

Both of those patterns have dwindled as the Mavericks continue to plow through the first round though – considering Maxi Kleber is the only typical Dallas’ typical starter left on the injury report, and the Mavs’ have held six of their last nine opponents to 110 points or less, which includes their 113-103 victory in Game 1.

Despite ranking in the top half of the league in points per game this year (112.5), the Mavericks consistently leaned towards the ‘under’ for most of the regular season – considering the total sat at 29-38 (56.7%) in matchups containing Dallas with just five games remaining on the schedule.

Dallas finished up the regular season on a run of five straight ‘over’ results though, which brought that number down to a slightly less alarming clip of 53% before entering this first-round series against Los Angeles.


Key Injuries

Dallas Mavericks

  • PF Maxi Kleber: Achilles - Questionable
  • SG J.J. Redick: Heel - Out

L.A. Clippers

  • None

Clippers vs. Mavericks Player Prop Best Bet

Kawhi Leonard – Over 30.5 Points (-110)

After having a rough night shooting in the series opener, Kawhi Leonard returned to the Staples Center seeking vengeance on Tuesday night – as The Claw went off for 41 points on 14-of-21 from the floor, despite the Clippers’ suffering a devastating, second-straight loss in the event.

I’ll back Kawhi to have another big night on the scoreboard here, as the Clippers are probably done-for in this series – but if they do end up showing some life, I expect to come through the two-time Finals MVP.

Clippers vs. Mavericks Prediction

Despite dropping the first two contests of this series at home, Los Angeles heads into Game 3 favored in a third straight matchup over the Mavericks, and this time in Dallas – as it appears the oddsmakers still haven’t lost faith in the Clippers just yet.

I tread with caution here, because I really can’t see the Clippers falling victim to a four-game sweep against a team that plays such poor defense.

It’s way too hard to pass up the opportunity to bet on Dallas as an underdog at home here though – especially after the dominance they asserted across Games 1 and 2 of this series.

Score Prediction: Mavericks 113, Clippers 110
Best Bet: Dallas +2