LA Clippers (51-31) vs Dallas Mavericks (50-32)
Game Info: Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 3:30 pm (Crypto.com Arena)
Betting Odds: LA Clippers +2.5 --- Over/Under: 227 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers do battle in Game 1 at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a Mavericks vs Clippers prediction.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are coming into the playoffs with plenty of momentum as they reeled off 16 wins in their last 20 games of the regular season and they will like their chances against the Clippers in what should be another blockbuster matchup. Luka Doncic has led the team with averages of 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game, Kyrie Irving averaged 25.6 points and 5.2 assists per game while Tim Hardaway Jr averaged 11.4 points per game during the regular season. As a team, the Mavericks averaged 117.9 points while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from the 3-point line.
Los Angeles Clippers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers stumbled their way into the playoffs as they split their last eight games and they will be hoping to arrest a three-game skid after getting routed by the Rockets in their last game of the regular season. Kawhi Leonard has led the team with averages of 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, Paul George started to heat up late in the season to finish with averages of 22.6 points and 3.5 assists per game while James Harden averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 assists per game. As a team, the Clippers scored an average of 115.6 points per game while shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from the 3-point line.
Los Angeles Clippers Player Facts
- Paul George ranks 1st amongst qualified Forwards for FT% (90.7%) this season.
- Ivica Zubac ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for FG% (64.9%) this season.
Dallas Mavericks Player Facts
- Luka Doncic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per game (33.9) this season.
- Daniel Gafford ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (72.5%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Clippers are one of only two teams to record five or more losses when leading by a margin of 10+ points after Q1 this season.
- The Clippers rank 3rd in the league for free throw percentage this season (82.5%).
- The Mavericks rank 2nd in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (4.0).
- The Mavericks rank 2nd in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (39.5).
Mavericks vs Clippers prediction
The Mavericks could be shorthanded for this one with Tim Hardaway Jr currently listed as questionable, while the Clippers are keeping an eye on Kawhi Leonard, who is questionable also. The Mavericks come into this series as the team in better form, and they will have the extra security of having all their key players available to start the series. With an injury cloud hanging over Leonard, I have to lean towards the Mavericks to draw first blood in this series with a gritty road win here behind big games from Irving and Doncic.
Peter’s Pick Dallas -2.5
AUTHOR: Peter Tran
