The Los Angeles Clippers try to save their season when they visit the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 of their best-of-seven series. This has been an unusual series, as home court has actually been a disadvantage for both teams. The Mavs lead the series 3-2, with all their wins coming at the STAPLES Center. Now the series moves the Dallas, where the Clippers played their best basketball since the playoffs started.
The Mavericks took a 2-0 lead with close, hard-fought wins in Los Angeles and many thought that the Clippers were done but they went to Dallas and made a statement in Games 3 and 4 to tie the series but the Mavericks recovered their momentum with a 105-100 win in Game 5 on Wednesday, behind 42 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds from Luka Doncic, who was dealing with lingering neck and shoulder pain but still put behind his struggles from the last two games and carried his team. Paul George led the Clippers with 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists and Kawhi Leonard and Reggie Jackson added 20 points apiece in the loss. Game 6 will take place on Friday at 9:00 PM ET at American Airlines Center.
Dafanews Picks
Team to Win (Regular Time)
• Los Angeles Clippers: 1.78
• Dallas Mavericks: 2.14
Spread
• Los Angeles Clippers: -2.5 (1.93)
• Dallas Mavericks: +2.5 (1.88)
Total
• Over 216.5 (1.90)
• Under 216.5 (1.90)
Key Points to Consider
I honestly love Kawhi and PG-13’s games but they have to step up significantly, play with more urgency and take over on Friday. Leonard is still a bit stiff as a shot creator and George hasn’t displayed the “my time: edge he had in key moments with the Pacers. Leonard and George have to lead games early, that is when they’re at their best.
The Mavericks, on the other hand, are relying too much on Doncic and while he can put up 40 or 50 points and carry them, they can’t expect him to do that every night. Doncic had 42 points on Wednesday and they won by just five points. The Mavs need his supporting cast to produce more.
The Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games playing on 1 day’s rest and 9-3 ATS in their last 12 Friday games. The Mavericks are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 playoff games as an underdog and 0-4 ATS in their last four games playing on one day’s rest.
Projected Leaders
For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard is projected to finish with 28.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists, making 10.2 field goals in 17.6 attempts.
For the Mavericks, Luka Doncic is expected to score 26.4 points with 8.0 assists and 7.2 rebounds, making 9.1 field goals in 20.0 attempts.
Analyst’s Pick
Clippers -2.5.
Two-star (out of four) AccuScore hot trend pick on the total in this one. Average score in simulations is Los Angeles Clippers 114.5 to Dallas Mavericks 110.0.
