A pair of evenly matched foes battle when the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks take on the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Sunday in Los Angeles. The Mavericks (50-32), who were 25-16 on the road in 2023-24, are 31-21 against conference opponents. The Clippers (51-31), who were 25-16 at home, are 30-22 against the West. The Clippers won two of three games against Dallas during the regular season, including the lone matchup in Los Angeles.
Tipoff from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. The Mavericks are 3-point favorites in the latest Mavericks vs. Clippers odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 222. Before making any Clippers vs. Mavericks picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 88-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,600. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Mavericks vs. Clippers and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Clippers vs. Mavericks
- Mavericks vs. Clippers spread: Dallas -3
- Mavericks vs. Clippers over/under: 222 points
- Mavericks vs. Clippers money line: Dallas -148, Los Angeles +125
- DAL: The Mavericks have hit the game total under in 38 of their last 57 games (+17.10 units)
- LAC: The Clippers have hit the team total under in 22 of their last 33 games (+9.45 units)
- Mavericks vs. Clippers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Mavericks can cover
Forward P.J. Washington is averaging 12.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and one steal in 73 games, including 45 starts. Washington registered his first double-double with the Mavericks after a 14-point, 13-rebound effort at Sacramento on March 26. He also recorded a team-high 32 points and a career-high five steals against Golden State on April 5. Washington became the second player in Mavericks history to have a game with at least 30 points, five steals and two blocks.
Also giving Dallas a boost is fifth-year veteran center Daniel Gafford, who is expected to play despite nursing a tender elbow. In 74 games, including 66 starts, he is averaging 11 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.6 assists in 24.5 minutes. In a 130-104 win at Charlotte on April 9, Gafford poured in 26 points, while adding seven rebounds and two blocks. He registered a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds in a 108-106 win over Golden State on April 5. See which team to pick here.
Why the Clippers can cover
Although listed as a game-time decision, Kawhi Leonard is Los Angeles' leading scorer and has played in and started 68 games this season. In three games against the Mavericks, Leonard averaged 21.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and one block in 32 minutes. He scored 20 or more points in nine of his final 10 games, including a 29-point effort in a 100-97 win at Orlando on March 29. For the season, he is averaging 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 34.3 minutes.
Forward Paul George is also a big part of the Clippers' success. The 33-year-old has been dominant, reaching 18,000 career points in a 105-92 win at Phoenix on April 9. He is one of seven active NBA players with 18,000 points, 5,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists. In 74 games, all starts, George is averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 33.8 minutes. He averaged 16.5 points, six rebounds and three assists in two games against Dallas this year. See which team to pick here.
How to make Clippers vs. Mavericks picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 227 points. The model also says one side hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's pick and analysis at SportsLine.
So who Mavericks vs. Clippers, and which side hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Clippers vs. Mavericks spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has returned more than $2,600 on its NBA picks this season, and find out.
