LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction and Betting Tips | Dec. 21
The LA Clippers will take on the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center on Saturday for the second time in 48 hours. Both teams came into the 2024-25 campaign with high expectation and will be looking to work their way up the Western Conference standings before the midway point of season.
Los Angeles (16-12) currently rank fifth in the West with a half a game lead over Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. Tyronn Lue's team come into Saturday's encounter on a two-game winning streak. The Clippers have been streaky with a five-game and a four-game win streak in November, but have struggled to find any consistency over the first two months of the season.
The Mavericks (17-10) sit just above the Clippers in the standings and will be looking to make up ground on the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies. Dallas are coming off a loss to the Clippers in Thursday's game, but are 8-2 in their last 10 games, and boast one of the most potent offenses in the league, averaging 118.6 points per game.
LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks preview, betting tips, odds, and prediction
The Dallas Mavericks will host the LA Clippers at the American Airlines Center on Saturday, Dec. 21, with the game set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. EST (5:30 p.m. PST).
The game will be available to watch locally on KFAA and KTLA. Fans will also be able to stream to game on NBA League Pass or fuboTV.
Moneyline: Clippers (+120), Mavericks (-140)
Spread: Clippers +2.5 (-105), Mavericks - 2.5 (-115)
Total (Over/Under): Over 221.5 (-110), Under 221.5 (-110)
Note: All odds are subject to change closer to tip off. The listed odds are based on information available at the time of writing.
LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks preview
Los Angeles will be desperate for a win as they prepare for a difficult schedule over the next 15 days that includes the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors San Antonio Spurs and OKC Thunder.
A lack of points has been a problem for the Clippers. They are averaging just 109.9 ppg, which ranks 12th out of 15 teams in the West. The offense managed just 80 points against the Timberwolves on Dec. 4. The one positive for the Clips is that they are on a two-game win streak, and averaged 131 ppg over the two games.
Norman Powell will be the player to keep an eyes on for the Clippers. The 31-year-old is coming off an an exceptional game where he finished with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
The Clippers remain without six-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard, who has not played this season due to a knee injury. Terance Mann and Kobe Brown are also sidelined with injuries.
The Dallas Mavericks have been red-hot since Nov. 16, winning 12 of their last 15 games. They have an 8-4 record at the American Airlines Center and have lost just once at home over the last 43 days.
The Mavs have a dynamic offense that is averaging 118.6 ppg, and has crossed the 135-point mark three times in December.
The loss of Luka Doncic to a heel injury will be a major blow for the Mavericks. The Slovenian guard leads the Dallas roster in points (28.9), rebounds (8.6), assists (8.1) and steals (2.1). Dallas will also be without Brandon Williams, Jaden Hardy and Dante Exum.
The Dallas Mavericks and LA Clippers have faced off once this season with the Clippers winning the game 118-95.
LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks betting tips
Without Leonard, James Harden has taken on a bigger responsibility. The talented shooter leads the LA Clippers in minutes and will need to be at his best it the Clippers hope to overcome the Mavs. Harden's assists are set at 7.5, which seems low considering he is averaging 8.3 apg over 27 starts. Take the over on his assists.
Klay Thompson will be called on to have a big game in Doncic's absence. Thompson finished with a team-high 22 points in Thursday's encounter. His points total is set at 17.5 and the five-time All-Star should surpass that total.
LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks prediction
Dallas will be looking to bounce back and even the season series after dropping the first game at home. However, without Doncic on the court it is hard to see where the Mavericks points will come from. The Clippers dominated the second half of Thursday's game, and with the spread set at just 2.5 points, expect the visiting team to pull off an upset and continue their winning streak.