The Dallas Mavericks (10-10), 2.5-point underdogs, will have their hands full against the league’s top shooting defense when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers (15-6) at American Airlines Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 225 points and it will air on FSN Prime Ticket at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 2, 2018.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks Betting Odds
In the Clippers’ last outing, they beat the Sacramento Kings, 133-121, comfortably covering as 2-point favorites. The Mavericks, meanwhile, were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers, 114-103, and were not able to cover as 4-point underdogs. The Los Angeles game finished 18 points over the projected point total of 236, while the Dallas game went 4 points under the projected point total of 221.
Los Angeles played a nearly perfect game. They had an extraordinary effective field goal percentage of 0.622 (above their season average of 0.523) and a turnover percentage of 8.1 (better than their season average of 12.0). Sacramento put up marks of 0.516 and 9.3, respectively, for those same stats. Dallas, on the other hand, did a great job of getting and making free throws (25-34; 73.5 percent). Dallas rallied around Harrison Barnes, who recorded 29 points and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Tobias Harris played well for Los Angeles, putting up 28 points and six rebounds.
The Clippers held the advantage in this series last year, securing victories in two out of three games. In the last game, Los Angeles won 104-101. Los Angeles had a much better turnover percentage (12.3 vs. 18.4). Dallas, meanwhile, did a great job of converting from the free throw line (18-20; 90.0 percent). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Vegas tends to set the total low when the Clippers are involved, as 61.9 percent of their contests have finished over the total. Los Angeles comes into the contest with records of 15-6 straight up (SU) and 14-7 against the spread (ATS).
Mavericks games also tend to go over the O/U total (55.0 percent). Further, Dallas owns records of 10-10 SU and 13-7 ATS.
Montrezl Harrell has been solid recently for Los Angeles, averaging 20 points,9.4 rebounds,1.8 steals,1.8 blocks over the last five games.
The aggressive Dallas offense could be living from the free throw line in this contest. The Mavericks rank fourth in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.229, while Los Angeles ranks 22nd in FTA rate allowed (0.215).
Los Angeles Clippers at Dallas Mavericks Betting Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Clippers, ATS Winner – Mavericks, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Mavericks average 14.05 fast break points per game, which ranks 13 in the league. The Clippers rank 22 in fast break points allowed per game (14.428571428571429).
- Dallas ranks fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.6) while Los Angeles ranks 27th (6.2).
- The Mavericks rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (44.8) while the Clippers rank 21st (50.3).
- Dallas ranks eighth in second chance points per game (14.8) while Los Angeles ranks 23rd in second chance points allowed per game (14.7).
- Dallas ranks 13 in points off turnovers per game (17.4) while Los Angeles ranks 26 (14.80952380952381).
- The Mavericks rank seventh in three pointers attempted per game (33.8) while the Clippers rank 27th (25.3).
- The Mavericks rank 14 in steals per game (7.8) while the Clippers rank 28 (5.904761904761905).
- Dallas ranks third in rebounds allowed per game (41.9) while Los Angeles ranks 22nd (46.0).
- Los Angeles is 3-0 when they allow under 100 points, while Dallas is 3-1.
- When reaching the century mark, the Mavericks are 10-9 and the Clippers are 15-5.
- Dallas is 8-2 ATS at home, while Los Angeles is 6-5 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 6 of the Mavericks’ 10 home games, while 7 of the Clippers’ 11 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Los Angeles and Dallas have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Clippers are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Mavericks are 3-2.
- During their last five games, the Clippers have scored an average of 116.4 points per game (1.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 110.4 points per game (1.8 below their season average).
- The Mavericks\u2019 average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.8, up from 1.9 for the season.
