L.A. Clippers at Dallas

Time: 7:30 PM CST (NBA TV)

Spread: DAL -2

Total: 232.5

Odds c/o 5dimes

The Dallas Mavericks have won its last four and enter tonight’s matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers at 27-15 with a 13-10 mark at home. The Clippers are 11-9 on the road, and the Mavericks are 2-point favorites in the game, which will air at 7:30 PM (CST) on NBA TV. The betting total is set at 232.5 points according to NBA oddsmakers at bookmaker 5dimes.

LAC NEWS & NOTES:

The Los Angeles Clippers are 30-13 and trail the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference as the West’s No. 4 team, also behind Denver and Utah. The Clippers won its past three games. L.A. ranks No. 4 in scoring at 116.2 per game while limiting teams to 109.6, a point differential of +6.6 points.

Considering its No. 3 and No. 4 scorers both come off the bench, this is done in a different fashion. Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell each average 20 and 19 points per game, respectively  and do it in 30 minutes a night or less. That enables Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to keep their minutes around the 30-32 range, as well.

Leonard leads the team in minutes at just 32.1 per game. The Clippers utilize a 10-11 man rotation, with several key role players like Patrick Beverley and Ivica Zubac serving their purposes as defenders and sparks. George is averaging 23.5 points, six rebounds, and 3.7 assists as one of three Clippers with a PER over 20. Leonard is super-efficient and the top-three Clippers all shoot 36 percent or better from three.

Leonard averages 26.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and has appeared in just 33 games due to load management. With the Clippers resplendent depth, it can afford to rest its superstars and cruise to an easy homeport advantage in the first round.

DALLAS news & notes:

The Dallas Mavericks have won six of its last 10 overall SU and its last four overall.

Luka Doncic has gone atomic since returning from injury, but it came with the nasty fact that the other star, Kristaps Porzingis, is now out with right knee soreness.

With Doncic out, the Mavericks got a good look at Kristaps Porzingis, who turned in another strong game in the Mavs’ loss to Boston. He tallied 23 points on 8 of 19 shooting to go along with 13 rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and a steal but is out for an indefinite period now. It has been hard to keep its core healthy. Porzingis is slated to return tonight.

Last outing, Doncic had 35 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in the 120-112 win over Portland the last outing. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 29 points and five made triples.

On the season Porzingis is averaging 17.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, but all suggestions are that he was able to greatly increase his usage percentage with Doncic unavailable. The Mavericks need to get another guy to step up, because Doncic left a 29.3 point, 8.9 assist hole when he sprained his ankle. While he is expected to make a full recovery and is already back in triple-double form (!), the Mavs are still in overhaul replacing his production. Although the Doncic-Porzingis punch is a strong one, the Mavericks still seem to be lacking a “third star” to complete the picture.