The Dallas Mavericks 9-7 (7-9 ATS) and Los Angeles Clippers 10-7 (9-8 ATS )are having a little rivalry going on these past two years. These two teams will meet again on the court for the second time in three nights Tuesday, 10:30 PM, at Staples Center.
The Clippers opened the consensus favorites across all major sportsbooks, including BetUS.com, on the strength of their win last Sunday. The same set of sports betting operators also adjusted the total at 210.5 points. It came as no surprise since the previous contest resulted in a 97-91 tally favoring the Clips.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Lines
ATS: Clippers -3.5
Moneyline: Clippers -165, Mavericks +145
O/U: 210.5 points
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Team News
It appears Luka Doncic’s return in the lineup may have just hit a snag. According to sources close to the situation, the Mavs star may have aggravated his injured knee during the team’s 5-on-5 scrimmage on Tuesday.
“Director of player health and performance Casey Smith and close friend and teammate Boban Marjanovic were two of the people who walked over to check on him. Soon after, a trainer wrapped a bag of ice around Doncic’s knee with an ace bandage,” Callie Caplan writes on Dallas Morning News.
The Clippers had to postpone their Tuesday morning shootaround for preventive measures against COVID-19. This came after a Clippers entered the league’s health and safety protocol two days ago.
“It was the team’s decision to cancel shootaround. The league office handles each situation on a case-by-case basis but in general additional testing of a team usually results from a player entering health and safety protocols,” Andrew Greif of Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.
Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Clippers Injury Report
Mavericks: Reggie Bullock – Questionable (Tuesday), Frank Ntilikina – OUT (Calf), Maxi Kleber – Probable (Oblique), and Luka Doncic – Questionable (Knee).
Clippers: Nicolas Batum – OUT (Illness), Marcus Morris – Probable (Knee), Kawhi Leonard – OUT (Knee), and Jason Preston – OUT (Foot)
Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Clippers Preview
The Mavericks have now dropped their last three games and four of last six games heading into Tuesday’s rematch with the Clippers. Dallas has felt the absence of Doncic, who tops the team in scoring, rebounds, and assists this season. The only silver lining with all these losses is the terrific play of Kristaps Porzingis. The former All-Star big man scored 21, 23, and 25 points in the past three games for the Mavs.
Meanwhile, the Clippers are coping up well in a season despite the injuries to their key players. This season, Paul George has played at an MVP level, averaging 26.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 5.2 APG on a 44.1% FG clip. Last Sunday, the All-Star tallied 29 points and six assists to lead his team to a hard-fought win against the Mavs. Reggie Jackson, who keeps improving on his stats this season, recorded 23 markers in the win.
Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Clippers Prediction
The Clippers should be expecting a much tougher fight from the Mavs this time around, with or without Doncic. Nevertheless, Paul George and his crew have proven time and time again their ability to rise up to the challenge. The Mavs and the Clippers are no strangers to one another, having faced each other in two competitive Western Conference first-round series the last two seasons. And like how Los Angeles upended the Mavs in those confrontations, they will find a way to beat a team with a limping star one more time.
Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Clippers Betting Pick
Pick: Clippers cover spread, UNDER.
For the latest and most comprehensive NBA and sports betting odds, visit BetUS.com
