Mavericks vs. Clippers Prediction
Can the Los Angeles Clippers add to the road woes of the Dallas Mavericks when the two teams meet up tonight at 10:30PM ET?
579 Dallas Mavericks at 580 Los Angeles Clippers
Thursday, December 20, 2018
10:30PM ET – STAPLES Center
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Clippers are the slight favorite at home, as they are getting odds of -3.5 points against the Mavericks. The over/under total is listed at 221.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 67 percent going on the Clippers at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Mavericks on a slide
The Mavericks have lost three straight coming into tonight’s game, including a 126-118 loss at Denver on Tuesday. Dallas is 15-14 overall, 2-11 on the road, 17-12 against the spread and 15-14 with the over.
Dallas is in the middle of the pack on offense and defense this season. The offense is averaging 109.9 points per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field. The defense is giving up 108.7 points per game while opponents shoot 46.3 percent. Dennis Smith Jr. is questionable for the game tonight with a wrist injury while J.J. Barea and Dirk Nowitzki are expected to play despite ankle injuries. Luka Doncic has been leading the team with 18.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per contest. Harrison Barnes is adding 18.2 points per contest.
Clippers struggling
Los Angeles is coming off a 131-127 loss at home to Portland on Monday. The Clippers have lost four straight and six of their last seven coming into tonight. Los Angeles is 17-13 overall, 9-4 at home, 16-14 against the spread and 18-12 with the over.
The Clippers are putting up 114.4 points per game on offense this season while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from the arc. Defensively, Los Angeles is giving up 114.1 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 45.4 percent from the field. Loui Williams is questionable to return from his hamstring injury tonight. He has been averaging 17.2 points per game this season. Tobias Harris is leading the team this season with 21.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Danilo Gallinari is adding 19.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest.
NBA Betting Trends
Dallas
The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in four straight road games and in four of their last five against Western Conference.
Los Angeles
The Clippers are just 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games overall and 1-4 ATS in their last five after a loss.
Prediction:
Los Angeles has been struggling without Williams around, so getting him back could provide a nice boost. The Clippers were playing very well prior to that. Dallas is also in a funk and now hitting the road. Dallas just hasn’t seemed to get on a real consistent win streak and has dealt with a lot of injuries as of late. I think the lack of lineup consistency is hurting the on-the-court chemistry. I will take my chances on the Clippers at home.
NBA Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers -3.5