Mavericks vs. Clippers Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

June 2, 2021

by Michael Crosson
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Los Angeles Clippers have rallied back from a 2-0 deficit to tie their series with the Dallas Mavericks.

The Clippers looked dead to rights after falling behind 11-0 early in Game 3, but they rallied to win that game and cruised to a win in Game 4 to level the series at two games apiece.

Now, the Clippers will try to do what neither team has been able to do yet in this series on Wednesday night. Win at home.

Mavericks vs. Clippers Betting Resources

Matchup: Western Conference Playoffs
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: STAPLES Center
Location: Los Angeles, California
Date: Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - Mavericks vs. Clippers

Subject to Change

Spread: Clippers -7
Money-Line: L.A. -300, Dallas +250
Total: 217

Mavericks vs. Clippers Current Form

Luka Doncic was incredible in Dallas’ Game 1 win over Los Angeles. Doncic posted a triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. He led the Mavericks in all three of those categories.

Dorian Finney-Smith and Tim Hardaway, Jr. shot well too as Dallas knocked off L.A. 113-103.

Doncic led the way for the Mavs again in Game 2. He went 16-of-29 from the floor and finished with 39 points in a 127-121 victory for Dallas.

Hardaway and Kristaps Porzingis combined for 48 points to help out Doncic, and the Clippers stayed close because Kawhi Leonard and Paul George teamed up to score 69 points. Reggie Jackson was the only other Clipper to score in double digits though.

With their backs against the wall, the Clippers roared back in Dallas. Leonard went 13-of-17 for 36 points and George went 11-of-18 for 29 points to spur the Clips to a needed win.

Doncic poured in a game-high 44 points, but the rest of the Mavericks’ starters could only muster 41 points and hit just 34.9% of their field goals.

The last game between these teams turned into a laugher. The Clippers led by 16 points at halftime and won every quarter in a 106-81 win over the Mavericks.

Doncic was not the same due to a nerve injury he suffered in Game 3, and Dallas’ offense sputtered without its sensational standout at full strength.

Dallas only made 34.8% of its field goals and 16.7% of its threes on the night. Porzingis and Boban Marjanovic had nice games in comparison to their teammates, but it’s hard to say anyone on the Mavericks blossomed.

Leonard continued his strong play with 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the floor. Rajon Rondo was a real difference maker off the bench and finished with a plus/minus of +14 in 20 minutes.

Mavericks vs. Clippers Head-to-Head

May 30, 2021 - Clippers 106 at Mavericks 81, L.A. -3.5, Under 220
May 28, 2021 - Clippers 128 at Mavericks 118, L.A. -2.5, Over 219
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

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

Dallas Mavericks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 44-32 SU, 37-39 ATS, 36-40 OU
Road: 23-15 SU, 22-16 ATS, 19-19 OU

Doncic acknowledged that he was dealing with a cervical nerve issue in Game 4 on Sunday, leading to his worst performance of the postseason. Doncic was in noticeable pain throughout the game.

The Mavericks are hoping that the two days of rest between games will help by Wednesday, but it’s likely he won’t be 100% until the season is over.

Doncic is averaging 33.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 8.3 APG against the Clippers. He is making 48.6% of his field goals and 40.9% of his threes, but he was not nearly as effective in the last game due to the nerve issue.

Doncic made just 37.5% of his field goals and went one of seven beyond the arc in the Game 4 loss.

The Mavericks are in real trouble now that Doncic is not at full strength. We haven’t seen great play out of anyone else this postseason, and Doncic leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists.

Hardaway Jr. is the second leading scorer on the Mavericks, and he is sinking 55.6% of his threes. Hardaway doesn’t contribute much else besides solid three-point shooting though.

Porzingis was brought in and heralded as Dallas’ second star. The team hoped that Doncic and Porzingis would be a formidable one-two punch, but the 7’3 center hasn’t made much of an impact. Despite his size, he is only making 46.8% of his field goals and is averaging just 4.0 RPG in this series.

L.A. Clippers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 49-27 SU, 41-34-1 ATS, 37-37-2 OU
Home: 26-12 SU, 21-17 ATS, 18-18-2 OU

It’s been impressive to watch Leonard continue to thrive in the postseason. Leonard is off to an exceptional start in the playoffs, averaging 33.0 PPG and 8.5 RPG with a 30.99 PER.

The former NBA Finals MVP is knocking down an absurd 62.7% of his shots and 47.6% of his threes, and he is getting to the free throw line eight times a game. His defense has been great too as Leonard is averaging 2.3 steals.

Leonard has been the most reliable player for Los Angeles by a mile. Unfortunately for the Clippers, George is once again having ups and downs in the playoffs.

PG is making less than 30% of his threes in this series after hitting 41.1% of his treys during the regular season. George had a postseason to forget last year, and there are times where it seems like last season’s woes are weighing on him.

The Clippers are waiting for some of their role players to step up like we saw in the regular season. Jackson is the only other player on the team averaging double digits in scoring, but he is making just 40.5% of his field goals.

Marcus Morris, Sr. has not been as efficient as he was in the regular season, and we have seen up-and-down play from Rajon and Nic Batum.

L.A. had the best three-point shooting percentage (40.9%) of any team during the regular season. The Clippers are only making 36.5% of their threes this postseason though, leading to some of their problems against the Mavericks.

Key Injuries

Dallas Mavericks

PG Luka Doncic: Neck - Probable
PF Maxi Kleber: Achilles - Probable
SG J.J. Redick: Heel - Out

Los Angeles Clippers

C Serge Ibaka: Back - Questionable