NBA
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview, Prediction, and Picks
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated07 Aug 2024
The Dallas Mavericks travel to the Staples Center in sunny California for a road matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday afternoon. The Mavericks (9-6) are off to a promising start but fell to the Phoenix Suns 102-94 Friday night. The Clippers (9-7) are fifth in the Western Conference through 16 games and have been getting it done defensively. LA opens this home matchup as slight favorites.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Lines
At Basketball Insiders, we get all of our game lines and information from the best betting sites. All of the game lines that are featured below are taken from BetUS.
Point Spread: Los Angeles Clippers -2.5
Money Line: LA -140/ DAL +120
Total: Over/Under 213
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Injury Report
Luka Doncic is dealing with an ankle and knee sprain and remains questionable heading into this road tilt. Maxi Kleber (oblique) is expected to miss this game and will rejoin the club after November 23rd.
The Clippers are dealing with a laundry list of injuries. Nicolas Batum (Achilles), Keon Johnson (ankle), Marcus Morris (knee), and Justise Winslow (personal) are all game-time decisions heading into Sunday’s game. Kawhi Leonard (knee) will be sidelined indefinitely.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview
Mavericks Hopeful Doncic Injury Not Serious
The Mavericks avoided a major setback when tests on star guard Luka Doncic’s left ankle and knee came back with no signs of structural damage. Dallas began a four-game road trip on Wednesday and will ask guard Jalen Brunson to garner a greater role again if Doncic is forced to miss his third straight contest.
6'4" vs 6'11", advantage Franky pic.twitter.com/3IXaovlGpu
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) November 20, 2021
Brunson scored 18 points in 37 minutes on Wednesday and is averaging 15.3 points while shooting 50 percent from the field. The Villanova product has scored in double figures in eight consecutive games, including a career-high-tying 31 points in a victory at San Antonio on Nov. 3. Although only appearing in 10 games, Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 19.4 points and 7.9 rebounds. He will also be expected to shoulder an expanded role if Doncic misses an extended period.
Paul George and Clippers Playing Well
Los Angeles was expected to struggle without their premier scorer in Kawhi Leonard, but Paul George has answered the call with an excellent start to the season. The 11th year vet is averaging 26.7 points on 44.9% shooting, to go along with 8 rebounds and 5.1 dimes per contest.
The hustle by @terance_mann. 💪
📺 @BallySportWest | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/83G1efSS1d
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 20, 2021
The Clippers are rolling, winning eight of their last nine games after a slow start to the season. George, Reggie Jackson, Eric Bledsoe, and Ivica Zubac are playing well and helping to make up for the absence of Kawhi Leonard, who may not play this season after knee surgery. LA is giving up a modest 103.7 points per game this year, good for 8th in the NBA. Expect those numbers to dive even lower, as they have been feverish on the defensive end through 15 games.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Prediction and Pick
Kristaps Porzingis is also off to a strong start for the Mavericks. The 7-foot-3 forward has been on a tear since missing five games due to lower back tightness, averaging 22.8 points and 8.8 rebounds in his last six games. The Mavs need him and Brunson to continue carrying them without Luka. Doncic is averaging 24.9 points, 7.9 assists, and 8.3 rebounds per game this season. He’s one of the top scorers in the game today and will certainly be in the MVP conversation at the end of the year.
With that being said, the Mavericks will be hesitant to rush the young star back into action after he banged up his knee and ankle. He did not play on Friday and remains questionable heading into this game. The Clippers will have no issues handling Porzingis and Brunson. Paul George and company are 6-3 ATS in their last nine games and have won eight of 10 overall.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Totals Pick
The Clippers rank fifth in pace through the early parts of this season. Without their star player in Kawhi Leonard, they have deployed a run and gun approach in lieu of a half-court set. They rank top ten in field goal percentage and three-point field goal percentage. For that reason, the total number has gone over in five of their last seven games. This has all the makings of a high-scoring, fast-paced Western Conference matchup.
