Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Game 3: Western Conference Playoffs – First round
We saw two totally different games in Los Angeles and it is pretty tough to predict what is going to happen when the Clippers and the Mavericks collide in Game 3 at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Friday.
Can the Clippers slow down Luka?
The Los Angeles Clippers had a great opener of the series winning 109-97 after being up by 30 at some point of the game. However, Game 2 was completely a different story, as the Clippers could not build a lead and then were punished for that in the final minutes. Kawhi Leonard scored 15 points after missing the opening game of the series. James Harden and Paul George scored 22 points each, but combined for 4 of 15 from three-point territory. The Clippers shot only 36.8% from the field, which is way too low to win a playoff game.
Is this the season for the Mavs?
The Dallas Mavericks came into the series as slight favorites despite the fact that the Los Angeles Clippers had the home-court advantage. Now Dallas has taken over that advantage and is having a chance to build momentum after a 96-93 Game 2 win. Luka Doncic took care of business, scoring 32 points, while Kyrie Irving finished with 23. PJ Washington had a key role, dropping 18 points on 3 of 4 shooting from deep.
Betting Trends
The Clippers are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 games against the Mavericks. Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS in the last five games overall and 1-6 ATS in the last seven games against teams from the Southwest Division. The Mavs are 15-5 ATS in the last 20 games overall, 14-4 ATS in the last 18 games against teams from the Western Conference and 6-2 ATS in the last 8 games against teams from the Pacific Divison.
Prediction and Conclusion
This is the third time in five seasons these two teams have collided in the playoffs, and every single match has been a real drama. The Clippers got Kawhi Leonard back after the two-time NBA Finals MVP missed the opening game, but it seems like his team played better without him. The Mavs were able to pick up their game after a desperate opening half in Game 1, and they are not in the driving seat as the series moves to Dallas. Luka Doncic is truly unstoppable, and it seems like he has matured enough to take control of the entire series. The Mavs have the needed energy, with multiple guys being able to impact the game in various ways. This will be another tough game with both teams changing momentum, and the Mavs will cover the -4.5-point spread at the end.
