by Rod Pearson
Friday, Apr 19, 2024
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET, Sunday, April 21, 2024
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Mavericks -1.5, Clippers +1.5; Over/Under: 224 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Mavericks -1.5, Clippers +1.5; Over/Under: 224.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Mavericks -1.5, Clippers +1.5; Over/Under: 224.5 points
Season Record
Dallas Mavericks: 50-32 (1st place, Southwest Division)
Los Angeles Clippers: 51-31 (1st place, Pacific Division)
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Big Al McMordie is on a HOT STREAK in the NBA on a 41-27 NBA RUN for +$10,970 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.
Recent Form
Dallas Mavericks: 7-3 last 10
Los Angeles Clippers: 6-4 last 10
Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Clippers Preview and Analysis
The Mavericks are entering this game with a 50-32 record overall to finish the regular season and they were 25-16 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with losses coming against the Detroit Pistons and the Oklahoma City Thunder in their last game. Brandon Williams led the team in points in that game with 22 while Olivier-Maxence Prosper was next on the team with 15 points. Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, Tim Hardaway Jr, Brandon Williams, and Markieff Morris each led the team in assists in that game with 3 while Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Dwight Powell each led the team in rebounds with 8. They were 33% from the field, 20.5% from 3-point range, and 82.4% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 115.6 PPG against them. The Mavericks have an ATS record of 48-34 this season and their O/U record is 36-45-1.
The Clippers are entering this game with a 51-31 record overall to finish the regular season and they were 26-15 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 3 game losing streak with losses coming against the Phoenix Suns, the Utah Jazz, and the Houston Rockets in their last game. Terance Mann led the team in points in that game with 24 while Amir Coffey was next on the team with 18 points. Xavier Moon led the team in assists in that game with 6 while Mason Plumlee led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 39.4% from the field, 21.6% from 3-point range, and 88.2% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 115.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 112.3 PPG against them. The Clippers have an ATS record of 38-44 this season and their O/U record is 36-44-2.
Mavericks vs Clippers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Mavericks listed as a 1.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 1 of a 7 game series between the 4th seeded Clippers and the 5th seeded Mavericks for Round 1 of the NBA Western Conference playoffs. The Mavericks have looked really good in their games this season with their 50-32 record overall which saw them finish in 5th place in the West, but they really surged up the standings over the last few weeks. They have been a good road team this year with their 25-16 road record and they have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA lately with their 7-3 record in their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Clippers have also looked really good in their games this season with their 51-31 record overall which landed them in 4th in the West and with the home advantage in this series, but now they are missing some players and haven't looked great in their games lately. They have looked better on their home court this year with their 26-15 home record, but they are 6-4 in their last 10 games and could be without Kawhi Leonard and James Harden in this 1st game. That will be a big loss for the Clippers in this game and even though the Mavericks rested some players to end the season with 2 losses in a row, the Clippers were still worse with 3 losses in a row to end the season. The Mavericks will have a big advantage in this game 1 if Kawhi doesn't play and even with him in the lineup, the Mavs have still been the hotter team lately. The best way to place a bet here is on the Mavericks to cover the spread in this game.
Mavericks Clippers Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Sunday, April 21, 2024 (3:30 pm ET start time) is Mavericks 121 Clippers 113.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Dallas Mavericks Los Angeles Clippers prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NBA predictions and previews.
NBA Betting Trends
Dallas Mavericks: 19-5 ATS as a road favorite. 6-1 ATS after a huge blowout loss by 30 or more. 8-3 ATS after 2 or more consecutive losses. 18-8 UNDER when the line is +3 to -3. 12-3 UNDER against Pacific division opponents. 31-22 UNDER after failing to cover the spread in 2 or more consecutive games.
Los Angeles Clippers: 6-13 ATS as an underdog. 23-37 ATS after a loss by 10 points or more. 22-12 UNDER when the total is 220 to 229.5. 14-3 UNDER against Southwest division opponents. 28-14 UNDER after a game where they failed to cover the spread.
Key Injuries
Dallas Mavericks: K. Irving (PG) Ques Sun - Hamstring. L. Doncic (SF) Ques Sun - Ankle. D. Jones Jr. (SF) Ques Sun - Shoulder. P. Washington (PF) Ques Sun - Ankle. D. Exum (PG) Ques Sun - Foot. D. Gafford (PF) Ques Sun - Elbow. M. Kleber (PF) Ques Sun - Back. D. Lively II (C) Late April - Knee. G. Brown III (SF) Out indefinitely - Personal.
Los Angeles Clippers: J. Harden (SG) Prob Sun - Knee. K. Leonard (SF) Out indefinitely - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“Gaff has been important, being able to start, bring him off the bench, start. He’s about the team. He’s giving us something that we haven’t had here. And to be able to have Gaff and D-Live – two guys who can protect the rim and protect the paint — and then on the offensive end being able to finish with the lobs." - Jason Kidd on Daniel Gafford this season.
“We’ll see. He feels OK. He’s been doing a little something.” - Tyronn Lue on the injury status of Kawhi Leonard after his team’s loss against the Rockets in their last game of the regular season on Sunday.
Starting Lineups
Dallas Mavericks
PG Luka Doncic
SG Kyrie Irving
SF Derrick Jones Jr.
PF P.J. Washington
C Daniel Gafford
Los Angeles Clippers
PG James Harden
SG Terance Mann
SF Paul George
PF P.J. Tucker
C Ivica Zubac
Statistical Leaders
Dallas Mavericks
PPG: L. Doncic (33.9)
APG: L. Doncic (9.8)
Reb/G: L. Doncic (9.2)
Los Angeles Clippers
PPG: K. Leonard (23.7)
APG: J. Harden (8.5)
Reb/G: I. Zubac (9.2)
Coaches:
Dallas Mavericks: Jason Kidd (3rd season)
Los Angeles Clippers: Tyronn Lue (4th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
