The Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers duke it out in a pivotal NBA playoffs Game 5 at the Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday night. Here’s a LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks will be hoping to reclaim the series lead after falling just short to the Clippers in a 116-111 loss in Game 4 on Sunday. Kyrie Irving led the team with 40 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Luka Doncic racked up a triple-double of 29 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists while Derrick Jones Jr chipped in with 14 points on six of nine shooting. As a team, the Mavericks shot 49 percent from the field and 11 of 33 from the 3-point line as they showed plenty of fight to claw their way back from a 31-point deficit to take the lead with 2:15 left on the clock, only to see the Clippers go on a crucial 9-2 run to snatch the game from them.
Los Angeles Clippers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers needed to respond after dropping two games in a row and they did just that as they outlasted the Mavericks in a tight contest in Game 4. Paul George led the team with 33 points, six rebounds, eight assists and four steals, James Harden turned it on late to finish with 33 points and seven assists on 12 of 17 shooting while Ivica Zubac chipped in with 13 points. As a team, the Clippers shot 53 percent from the field and an efficient 18 of 29 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble when they squandered a 31-point lead, before they made up for it in the end thanks to clutch plays from Harden and George down the stretch.
Los Angeles Clippers Team Facts
- The Clippers have won four of their last five Western Conference First Round games as underdogs against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine night games at Crypto.com Arena following a road win.
- Each of the Clippers’ last 10 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 seven games against Pacific Division opponents after losing as favorites.
- The Mavericks have covered the spread in each of their last seven games against Pacific Division opponents after losing as favorites.
- Each of the Mavericks’ last 11 night games against Pacific Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction
The Mavericks are still missing Tim Hardaway Jr, and they have Luka Doncic listed as day to day, while the Clippers have already ruled out Kawhi Leonard for this one. The Mavericks will be feeling like they missed a big chance in Game 4 after erasing such a deficit, but the series is still tied, and they now have an opportunity against a shorthanded Clippers squad. You can make an argument for either side here, but while it’s tempting to take the Clippers as the home underdog, I still think the Mavericks get the big win on the road behind big games from Doncic and Irving.
