NBA Predictions: Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Thursday, 4/3/14, 10:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Los Angeles -5.5
Current Betting Line: Los Angeles -4
Opening Total: 213
Current Total: 212
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Los Angeles Clippers are 31-5 SU at the Staples Center

Dallas has alternated wins and losses over its last eight games, as it looks to bounce back from a 122-120 overtime setback to the Golden State Warriors as five-point home favorites Tuesday, while going OVER the betting total in six of its last seven contests. The Mavericks have four of their five probable starters averaging double figures, with forward Dirk Nowitzki leading the way at 21.6 points a contest, which can’t be ignored when making your NBA predictions. Dallas is 16-12 ATS as an underdog this season, with the UNDER going 18-10 in that situation.

The Mavericks are 19-17 SU away from the American Airlines Center, including a 9-12 mark when taking on Western Conference opponents. Dallas has dropped six of its last seven regular-season meetings against Los Angeles, with the last five being decided by seven or fewer points. Nowitzki has averaged 24.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in three games versus the Clippers during the 2013-14 campaign.

Los Angeles has won four games in a row, including a 112-108 victory over the Phoenix Suns as three-point road underdogs Wednesday, while going OVER the betting total in each of those affairs. The Clippers are led by forward Blake Griffin, who is averaging 24.0 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. The last time the franchise swept a season series against Dallas was during the 1993-94 season. Los Angeles is 7-1 SU and 5-3 ATS as home favorites of 3.5 to 6 points, with the OVER going 7-1 in that situation.

The Clippers are 31-5 SU at the Staples Center this season, including an 18-3 mark when taking on conference rivals. Los Angeles has won 33 of 34 games when making at least nine 3-pointers in a game—winning all 15 of those games when playing in front of its own fans. It’s important to point out that Griffin sat out for the first time this season on March 31 due to lower back spasms—ending a streak of 105 consecutive regular season games played.