jokic-nuggets.jpg
USATSI

The surging Dallas Mavericks look to take command of their 2021 NBA Playoffs first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers when they meet for Game 2 in their best-of-seven series Tuesday night. The fifth-seeded Mavericks won nine of 12 down the stretch to end the regular season and appeared at peak form in Game 1. They used an efficient performance behind a triple-double from Luka Doncic to secure a 113-103 victory in the first game of a rematch from last year's Western Conference playoffs. The Clippers, who lost six of 10 to end the regular season to fall down to the No. 4 seed, will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak on their home floor.

Tip-off is set for 10:30 p.m. ET from the Staples Center. William Hill Sportsbook lists Los Angeles as a seven-point favorite in the latest Clippers vs. Mavericks odds. The over-under for total points is set at 215.5. Before finalizing any Mavericks vs. Clippers picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned over $9,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past two-plus seasons. The model is up almost $800 on its top-rated picks this season and entered the first full week of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on a stunning 99-66 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread dating back to last season. Anybody who has followed it has seen massive returns.  

Now, the model has set its sights on Clippers vs. Mavericks in the NBA Playoffs 2021. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for Mavericks vs. Clippers:

  • Mavericks vs. Clippers spread: Clippers -7
  • Mavericks vs. Clippers over-under: 215.5 points
  • Mavericks vs. Clippers money line: Clippers -280, Mavericks +240
  • DAL: The Mavericks have covered five of their last six games as an underdog
  • LAC: The Clippers are 5-0 ATS at home following a double-digit loss

Why the Mavericks can cover

Despite a regular season marked by inconsistency and some injury issues, the Mavericks showed in Game 1 how dangerous they can be when they put together an efficient performance. Not only did Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis combine for 45 points, but they had three other players in double figures and their underrated role players consistently stepped up. Tim Hardaway Jr. had 21 points and Dorian Finney-Smith added 18 while they combined to go 9-of-14 from 3-point range. Finney-Smith told the media afterward that players such as himself and Hardaway have prepared to take advantage of opportunities when the defense consistently sends a double-team toward Doncic.

What's more, backup point guard Jalen Brunson notched 15 points in 21 minutes, including some clutch free throws down the stretch. Starting power forward Maxi Kleber, who is questionable for this matchup (Achilles), had just six points but his nine rebounds helped Dallas earn a 42-39 rebounding edge. The Mavericks ended up shooting 38-of-76 from the field (50 percent) and 17-of-36 (47.2 percent) from 3-point range. 

Why the Clippers can cover

The Clippers can take some comfort from the fact that they took Game 1 to the wire despite shooting just 11-of-40 from 3-point range (27.5 percent) amid an off day from most of their role players. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George combined for 49 points, but the other three starters totaled just 22 points combined. They also failed to convert in transition, with just five points off 13 forced turnovers.

Even so, last year's playoff series between these clubs showed the Clippers to have a major advantage in depth and this dynamic appears to have relevance in this year's matchup as well. Los Angeles had nine players log double figures in minutes in Game 1, while Dallas had seven such players. The Clippers also managed a 38-32 edge in points in the paint.  

How to make Mavericks vs. Clippers picks

SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 222 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 60 percent of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Mavericks vs. Clippers? And which side of the spread hits in almost 60 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks.