Clippers vs. Mavericks Game Six Prediction: Series Headed to Game Seven?

The Los Angeles Clippers have a chance to force a home Game Seven in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs when they meet the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas on Friday evening. 

The Clippers lost a momentum-shifting Game Five by 30 points as James Harden, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook combined for 28 points on 22.2 percent shooting. They stole a game in Dallas already but must do the same again, this time facing the reality of elimination with a loss.

The Mavericks still have not played their best basketball in the series but are showing signs of the team that finished the year hotter than anyone. They came back from a 31-point deficit (but still lost) in Game Four and dominated Game Five, setting them up to close out the series at home.

Here, we will go over the betting odds and share our favorite pick in Game Six of the Clippers vs. Mavericks series.

Clippers vs. Mavericks Game Six Betting Odds for Friday, May 3

The Clippers are 40-47 (46 percent) against the spread and 6-9 (40 percent) ATS as a road underdog. They covered in two of five games thus far and one of two in Dallas.

The Mavs are 51-36 (58.6 percent) ATS, the second-best mark in basketball, and 16-14 (53.3 percent) ATS as a home favorite. They covered four of eight combined regular and postseason meetings with the Clippers.

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Clippers vs. Mavericks Game Six Prediction

Los Angeles Clippers Preview

The Clippers did a nice job capitalizing on the poor performances of the Mavericks at different points in the series. A historically poor shooting night in Game One and a lethargic start to Game Four allowed them to have the series tied at two games apiece heading into Game Five.

Sadly for LA fans, that’s where everything went expectedly wrong.

The Clippers have a never-ending history of playoff disappointment, as does their new star, James Harden. He, George, and Westbrook all laid an egg their last time out and essentially handed Dallas an enormous advantage going home for a closeout game.

The Clippers rank 12th in offensive efficiency amongst playoff teams despite also ranking first in three-point shooting (39.6 percent). Their defense has been better than expected but still just 10th out of the 16 postseason competitors.

They hung tough on the boards and did a nice job limiting Luka Doncic early in the series until he exploded for 35 points and 10 assists in Game Five.

LA desperately needs its best players to come through, especially with Kawhi Leonard sidelined by a knee injury. Harden scored 21+ points in Games 1-4 while George averaged 21 on efficient shooting splits, and both need to play even better than that to get the series back home for Game Seven.

Bet on LA Clippers at BetMGM   

Dallas Mavericks Preview

The Mavericks have proven to be the team with the higher ceiling based on their peaks in the series, but they shot themselves in the foot with a poor Game One and by falling behind by 31 points in Game Four.

Doncic is dealing with an illness and also has a sprained knee, which he said would have kept him off the court if it were the regular season. If his Game Five performance is any indication, however, he’s starting to feel like his old self. 

The Mavericks’ offense has been fairly modest and ranks seventh in efficiency in the playoffs. Their defense, which was one of the best by the end of the year, ranks fifth in efficiency and has been outstanding in the lane (aside from the very end of Game Four).

Daniel Gafford and rookie Dereck Lively II held opponents to 40 and 43.4 percent shooting on field goal attempts as the nearest defense, ranking sixth and 11th amongst big men in their team’s regulation rotation.

The Mavs were dominant in clutch scenarios during the regular season, a fact which is not supported by their postseason numbers. Harden and George proved what they can do at their best in Game Four, and now it’s on Doncic and Kyrie Irving to do the same if Game Six is close down the home stretch.

Bet on Dallas Mavericks at BetMGM   

Clippers vs. Mavericks Game Six Betting Pick

Dallas is the superior team, which is why it is favored by such a large amount in what’s been a back-and-forth series.

The Clippers have two all-time greats in Harden and George—however, it’s tough to rely on one or both of them to come through in a crucial moment. Meanwhile, Dallas’ star pairing just might be the best in the league in the clutch.

We like the Mavericks to close the game and series out at home. It’s a tall ask for them to win by at least eight points, but we believe they will do just that and set themselves up for a meeting with the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

• Clippers vs. Mavericks pick: Mavericks Spread -7.5 (-115 at BetMGM)

How to Watch Clippers vs. Mavericks Game Six

• When: Friday, May 3 at 8:30/9:30 p.m. CT/ET

• Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

• TV: ESPN

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