The Dallas Mavericks are looking to solidify their playoff position in a tight top half of the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers hope to improve enough to get out of the play-in tournament they are currently slated for. It is the second meeting between the two teams this season, with the Mavericks winning on their home court, 103-101, on Nov. 15, 2022.
However, it is hard to glean anything from that game because of the injuries that each team faces and the different rotations they will see. Here is a breakdown of each team before getting to our Mavericks vs Clippers betting picks and predictions.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Matchup Information
Dallas Mavericks (23-18) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (21-21)
Location of the game: Crpyo.com Arena. Los Angeles, CA.
Date: Tuesday, 10th January. 10:30 p.m. ET.
How to watch: NBATV, ClipperVision, Bally Sports Network.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Odds
The NBA odds today show the Clippers are favored by 1.5 points with an over/under of 221.5 points. The Mavericks are +105 on the moneyline, while the Clippers are -125.
The NBA picks today show that 60% of public bets are on the Mavericks to cover +1.5, while 62% of public bets are on the under 221.5.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Game Analysis
Dallas Mavericks Performance Recap and Analysis
Luka Doncic is having a season that puts him squarely in the conversation for Most Valuable Player. The NBA player stats show that Doncic is averaging 34.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. That has been enough to carry his Mavericks team into the playoffs through the first half of the season.
Mavericks Stats
NBA team stats show the Dallas Mavericks are 18th offensively in scoring 112.4 points per game. They are 16th in converting 46.9% of field goal attempts and 15th in making 35.8% of 3-point shots. They are fourth worst at making 74.5% of free throw attempts and dead last in rebounding at 39.0 per game.
Defensively, the Mavericks are sixth at holding teams to 111.0 points per game. They are 24th, though, in allowing teams to convert 48.0% of field goal attempts. Opponents convert 35.4% of 3-point attempts, which ranks 10th. The Mavs allow 43.9 rebounds per game, which is 19th defensively.
Christian Wood has stepped up his game for Dallas. The young forward is averaging 18.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. Spencer Dinwiddie adds 16.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game, while Tim Hardaway Jr. chips in another 13.9 points per game.
Key Injuries
Doncic is questionable with an ankle injury, and should he be downgraded, it may shift the lines substantially. Be on the lookout for that before finalizing Mavericks vs Clippers betting picks and prediction, or hedge if you are already on this game. Maxi Kleber (hamstring), Josh Green (elbow), and Dorian Finney-Smith (hip) all remain out for an extended period of time.
Betting Trends to Know
A good Dallas Mavericks prediction is that they play a lot of close games because they are 14-25-2 against the spread and 24-17 on over/unders.
They are 7-12 straight up on the road this season. As far as NBA matchups go, the Mavericks are 5-2 against the spread in the last seven meetings as the visitors against the Clippers but are 2-5 against the spread in the last seven meetings overall.
Los Angeles Clippers Performance Recap and Analysis
The veteran Los Angeles Clippers continue to charge on with different lineups and injuries. It is remarkable the Los Angeles Clippers standings are at the top of the play-in seeding and a borderline playoff team, given the injuries to Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and several other veterans that they are playing through.
Clippers Stats
The Clippers have been great defensively, ranking fourth in allowing 110.2 points per game. They are sixth at limiting opponents to 46.1% on field goal attempts and the best team defending the perimeter at limiting teams to 34.2% from 3-point range. They are 20th in allowing opponents to secure 44.1 rebounds per game.
Offensively, the Clippers are third worst at scoring 109.1 points per game. They are 23rd at making 46.1% of their field goal attempts but 10th in making 36.8% of 3-point shots. They are 24th at the charity stripe, making 76.3% of those attempts. The Clippers are ninth in rebounding at 44.1 per game.
Leonard has only played in 18 games, but he’ll play a starring role on Tuesday. He is averaging 17.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 28.8 minutes per game. Norman Powell (15.1 ppg), Marcus Morris Sr. (13.3), John Wall (11.4), Reggie Jackson (11.3), and Ivica Zubac (10.3) also average double figures, but part of that is skewed because of stepping up at various times due to injuries.
Key Injuries
Both George (hamstring) and Luke Kennard (calf) are expected to be out. George is the team’s leading scorer at 23.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He has missed 12 games already this season. Kennard is averaging 8.7 points per game and converts 46.2% of 3-pointers.
Betting Trends to Know
The Clippers are 20-22 against the spread and 17-25 on over/unders. They are 11-9 straight up at home this season.
Mavericks vs Clippers Betting Picks and Prediction
These two teams will meet one more time after this game. Teams in the same conference but different divisions meet three times on the NBA schedule.
Here are our Mavericks vs Clippers betting picks and prediction.
Moneyline
Mavericks +105, though our only hesitancy is if Doncic sits, then that heavily favors the Clippers.
Over/Under
Both of these teams are solid defensively, so we’ll go under 221.5.
Spread
Typically, we don’t like to side with the public, but Mavericks +1.5 feels safe with Doncic playing, and we’re already hoping to profit on an outright win.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Score Prediction
Expect this to be a defensive game and for the Clippers to struggle on the offensive end without their more ball-dominant guard in George.
That could and should open things up for Wall and others to facilitate the offense if you’re looking at potential prop bets.
NBA Pick: Mavericks 107, Clippers 103
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