Mavericks vs. Clippers NBA Predictions Against the Spread
Are the Clippers laying too many points to the Mavericks tonight when the Western Conference foes meet at 10:35 p.m. ET?
The Odds: Mavericks at Clippers, 10:35 p.m. ET, Los Angeles
According to oddsmakers, Los Angeles is a 9.5-point home favorite tonight over Dallas. The Mavericks opened as a 9-point underdog but the line was bet up slightly to 9.5. As for the total, the number sits at 204.5, which was where it opened.
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas enters play tonight having lost seven of its first eight games and is just 2-6 against the spread. The Mavericks are allowing 107.0 points per game and scoring just 98.3.
The poor offensive production could lead to coach Rick Carlisle shaking up his lineup. Carlisle doesn’t have many options, but his hand may be forced, as Dallas is off to an awful 1-7 start. “We’re looking at things all the time,” Carlisle said. “If you’re asking about a change to the starting lineup or rotation, any and everything is in play at this point.” Nerlens Noel, who came off the bench last season, has struggled since entering the starting lineup last week. Noel is averaging 5.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 20.3 minutes over his last four starts.
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles heads into Wednesday’s action with a 4-2 record both straight up and against the spread. The Clippers are averaging 107.3 points per game and are allowing 100.5.
Blake Griffin made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to beat the Blazers 104-103 on Thursday, finishing with 25 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one other 3-pointer in 40 minutes. It was his second buzzer-beating shot of his career to cap a red-hot 16-point fourth quarter to keep the Clippers at a perfect 4-0. They’re leading the NBA in defensive rating and net rating, but they’re actually playing faster than last season. Despite coach Doc Rivers saying Griffin would play “a lot” of center, it still hasn’t happened yet. Whatever the case, he’s making an MVP case with averages of 26.3 points, 9.3 boards, 4.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.5 treys on 53.6 percent from the field this season.
Our Prediction
Coach Carlisle can shake up his lineup all he wants but talent is his biggest issue. The Mavericks are just 2-3-1 against the spread in their last six games against the Clippers and are 1-3-1 at the betting window in their last five road games versus Los Angeles.
Wednesday NBA Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers -9.5
