Clippers vs Mavericks, Game 3 | NBA Betting Lines

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In a complete stunner, the Dallas Mavericks won the first two games of their Western Conference playoff series at the favored Los Angeles Clippers. The series shifts to Dallas for Game 3 on Friday and for some reason, oddsmakers favor the Clippers on the NBA odds.

How to Bet Clippers at Mavericks NBA Odds & TV Info

When: Friday, 9:30 PM ET
Where: American Airlines Center
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN app
Radio: Tunein.com

Why Bet on LA Clippers? | NBA Betting Lines

Los Angeles was outclassed 113-103 at home by Dallas in Game 1 and was again Tuesday in a 127-121 upset loss to the Mavericks. The Clippers seemed content with facing with the Mavericks, despite going 1-2 in the regular season against them. The team could point to its 2020 first-round series against Dallas, in which the Clippers won 4-2, as evidence that they shouldn’t be worried.

Alas, now the Clippers have lost five straight playoff games dating back to last postseason, when they blew a 3-1 lead in epic fashion to the Denver Nuggets in the second round. Despite that, Paul George said the Clippers aren’t panicking.

“There is none,” George said when asked what the team’s level of concern is after losing the first two games at home. “It’s a competition. We got to rise to the occasion. The fact of the matter is if we don’t, we’re done for. There is no level of concern.”

George played well in Game 2 with 28 points and six assists in 40 minutes. George, though, did make just one of his seven attempts from deep which will have to change if the Clippers are going to avoid yet another underwhelming postseason.

Kawhi Leonard totaled 41 points, six rebounds and four assists in the loss. The Claw tallied 30 points on 10-of-14 shooting in the first half, which was the most points he’s had in a half in his postseason career. Leonard became the first Clippers player with 30 points in a playoff half since the franchise moved to California in 1978-79.

Kawhi’s 41 were the third-most points scored in a postseason game in franchise history. Leonard became the third player in franchise history and the first since Elton Brand on 5/8/06 at Phoenix to score at least 40 points in a postseason game.

Other than George and Leonard, the remaining three starters combined for just 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting, adding very little else. Perhaps the Clippers need to put Leonard on Mavs star Luka Doncic more often.

There are teams in NBA history who have dropped the first two of a seven-game series at home and came back to win it. In 1969 the LA Lakers did it, in 2005 the Dallas Mavericks did it, in 2017 the Boston Celtics did it, and in 1994 the Houston Rockets did it and then went on to win the NBA Finals.

Why Bet on Dallas? | NBA Betting Lines

The Mavericks are the 32nd team in NBA history to win the first two games of a best-of-7 series on the road. 27 of the previous 31 went on to win the series. The Mavs are averaging 121.0 points per game through two games, with Luka Doncic averaging 35.0.

In Game 2, Doncic made 16-of-29 shots 39 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Doncic left some points on the board as he made just 2-of-7 free throws on the evening.

“The mentality was to go out there and play aggressive and have fun,” Doncic said. “That’s it.”

Through two games, Luka has averaged 35 points, nine assists, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1 steal per game. Doncic is the 5th player in league history to lead his team outright in points, rebounds and assists in each of the first 2 games of a postseason.

Tim Hardaway Jr. knocked down 9-of-14 shots for 28 points win Game 2. Tuesday was the second consecutive game that Hardaway Jr. scored at least 20 points, and the third time in his last five. The Mavs knocked down 18 threes at a 54.9% clip on Tuesday. If Hardaway continues to shoot the ball like this, the Mavericks could be moving on to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2011 when Dirk Nowitzki led the team to their only championship in franchise history. Porzingis had 20 points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

The Mavericks continued to shoot the ball beautifully, just as they had in Game 1. They made more than half of their 3-point shots (18-of-34). It was the second-most 3-pointers the franchise has made in a playoff game.

“We’ve got to play defense,” said Kawhi Leonard. “(Them) shooting 58 percent, 52 from the three, just isn’t going to cut it.”

Starting power forward Maxi Kleber (right Achilles soreness) is listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the Clippers. Kleber was listed as questionable in each of the first two games of the series, but he ultimately took on his usual starting role. He averaged 9.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 35.0 minutes per game.

A team that wins the first two games in a best-of-seven series goes on to win the series 93.4 percent of the time (297-21).

Game Trends

Clippers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Friday games.
Clippers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games.
Clippers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS loss.
Mavericks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Mavericks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Mavericks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.