Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks: Analysis and Prediction – Los Angeles Clippers will host Dallas Mavericks in the NBA playoffs.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Odds
Los Angeles Clippers Team News
Los Angeles Clippers have had a strong season so far, finishing the regular season in fourth place in the Western Conference with a record of 51 wins and 31 losses. They allowed the Dallas Mavericks to break their streak in the second game but managed to tie the series in the last game in Texas.
The Clippers are currently trying to impose an offensive rhythm throughout the series. They have succeeded in two games where they secured victories. They faced significant difficulties when lacking offensive solutions, especially noticeable in the third game when their top stars were ineffective. For instance, Paul George scored only seven points in that game, whereas throughout the series, he has been averaging 25.6 points per game. It will be crucial for the team to maintain the same level of energy throughout the entire game to avoid a repeat of their performance in the previous match, where they squandered a 31-point lead. Paul George, aided by James Harden, saved them in that game, securing another two matches where the Clippers will attempt to advance to the next round.
The goal for the Los Angeles Clippers will clearly be to accelerate the pace. Their offensive potential is enormous, so it’s crucial for them to dictate a high-scoring game. Additionally, their defense on the guard positions must improve significantly, primarily to prevent players like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving from getting their teammates involved.
Dallas Mavericks Team News
Dallas Mavericks have significantly improved this season compared to last year, finishing the regular season in fifth place in the Western Conference with a record of 50 wins and 32 losses. In the playoffs, they missed a great opportunity in the last game to take a 3-1 lead in the series in front of their home fans.
When it comes to this series, perhaps the biggest issue for the Dallas Mavericks is the impact of Luka Doncic on the game. The team’s top star and one of the top three MVP candidates are not performing at his usual level, often disrupting the team’s rhythm. This was especially evident in the last game, where Kyrie Irving rallied the team and brought them back from a 31-point deficit. However, Luka Doncic, in the final quarter, made a series of mistakes that killed his team’s momentum and gave the Los Angeles Clippers a chance to recover. Doncic himself acknowledged this after the game, expressing that he felt like he let down his best teammate. Despite this, the Dallas Mavericks still have a good chance to make a break, primarily because they have shown that with good defense, they can win convincingly, even with Luka Doncic having individually poor performances.
Defense is crucial for the Dallas Mavericks. In their two victories, they imposed a rhythm of play that suits them, which includes aggressive defense, a slower pace, and positional attacks. This is the path to a new break, along with more rational play from Luka Doncic. While Doncic is an exceptional player, he needs to work on shot selection and decision-making, especially in critical moments when the game is on the line.
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Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks H2H
Current score is 2-2 in this best-of-seven series. In the previous game, the Los Angeles Clippers won at road by 116:111.
Absences and Injuries
Kawhi Leonard is questionable for the home team. Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Greg Brown will not play for the Dallas Mavericks.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction
Tip-off Time: Thursday, 02.05.2024, 04:00 CET
Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers +4.5
Odds: 1.71
Sportsbook: Rabona
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
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