We expected the Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks series to be close, and after four games, it’s all tied up.
The Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks line for Game 5 has Dallas holding a 2.5 point advantage despite losing Game 4 on their home floor.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks-However, as the series suggests, the home floor doesn’t mean much as the all-important fifth NBA game comes to Arena on Wednesday night.
The hype continues
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks-Despite a 116-111 loss at home on Sunday, there is plenty of hype surrounding the Mavericks.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks-It was a disappointing loss, especially with Kawhi Leonard out of the lineup for the Clippers. However, they beat the Clippers on the road during the playoffs and there is a chance Leonard will miss Game 5.
The Mavericks shouldn’t focus on who the Clippers are. Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks-They should focus on playing their best basketball, and it was a rare rough performance for Luka Doncic, who had 29 points on 1-9 shooting from the 3 point line.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks-However, Kyrie Irving had a big game with 40 points. He has been electric, and more of the same is needed to take the lead in the series.
On the plus side, the Mavericks came back from a 31-point deficit to beat the Clippers. They couldn’t pull off the comeback in the end, but it showed how dangerous they can be from any point in the game.
The NBA playoff schedule gives these teams a few days off, and we think that helps the Mavericks. Because Irving and Doncic do most of the heavy lifting, giving them a few days of rest helps their cause.
The Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks lines are right at -2.5, but they must return to their best. The Clippers can’t be put to sleep, so this is a high-pressure game.
Clippers showing grit
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks-The Clippers have been criticized for falling apart in the playoffs. 2024 may be another year where they fail in the first round, but at least they’re showing some toughness.
Without their best NBA player in Game 4, Leonard, they stood up, especially Paul George and James Harden, who have been underrated this NBA season.
Harden often goes under the radar, but his impact in this series has kept the Clippers tied 2-2 against the series favorites.
The NBA spread has the Clippers as underdogs for all four games, and nothing has changed for Wednesday night’s contest. However, they are 2-2 ATS, so betting is not allowed.
However, the concern is that they let a 31-point lead slip on Sunday, and those lapses in concentration aren’t ideal heading into must-win games in the series.
We’re not surprised by the Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers line. However, we thought the sportsbook would favor the Clippers to win at least one game.
It’s unlikely to happen, but getting points at home after a road win is hard to ignore.
Keeping faith with the Mavs
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks
We picked the Mavericks to win and covered the spread and we’re not going to change.
They’re the best NBA team in the series, and even though we think about Doncic and Irving’s supporting players, they’ve performed solidly.
Our NBA picks for tonight include the Mavericks -2.5 spread and over 209.5 points.
We imagine the Mavericks have enough in the tank to hold off the Clippers charge and a well-rested Doncic should have a big scoring night.
The Los Angeles Clippers blew a 31-point lead against the Dallas Mavericks in Sunday’s Game 4, but they still managed to pull out a 116-111 victory thanks to stars Paul George and James Harden scoring 33 points while shooting a combined 23.
With those numbers, George and Harden became the first teammates in NBA history to have at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists while having a true-shooting percentage of 74.0 or higher.
“That’s what it’s all about, trying to carry the team on your shoulders and make plays when it matters,” George said of his team’s epic duels against Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and the Mavs. I thought both sides did. Lately he’s found his rhythm in pick-and-rolls and one-on-one situations. [Kyrie Irving] as well. Kai is not only lethal, he is deadly. But that’s exactly what happened, both teams trying to make plays to give one team a chance to win.”
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks-The Clippers were without star forward Kawhi Leonard for the second time this series in Game 4, but they still found a way to win, just like they did in Game 1. Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks-The Clippers are 0-2 when Leonard plays in the series and 2-0 when he sits.
“Yeah, it’s huge. Getting James [Harden] this year and getting someone like that when PG [Paul George] or Kawhi [Leonard] is out and can score,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said. “PG was great in the first half. I think he got a little tired in the second half, but we needed everything to win this game. It was a huge game for us to win. James was great. PG was good.
“But overall, I thought our team really stuck together when the going got tough. Don’t hang your head, don’t point fingers, stick together and figure out how to win the game. I give our guys credit for doing that.”
Asked about the Clippers’ clutch win in Game 4, Harden believes his team has discovered the “blueprint” to beat the Mavs in this best-of-seven series.
“I think we’ve seen the blueprint for what we’re going to do to beat this team,” Harden said. So, for us, it’s just watching film and getting better and finding a way to do that consistently on the course. Four quarters of play. It’s easier said than done, but for us I think we can’t have any wasted assets because this team is so talented offensively, they can make you pay for it.
“So, for us, it’s making sure we get the shots we want. [Regarding] turnovers, we had 12, which is still a lot. We live with results. As long as we get shots up, we get results. Live with.”