Dallas Mavericks vs LA Clippers Predictions, Odds, Picks, Point Spread

• The Dallas Mavericks shocked the NBA world when they took Game 1 of their Western Conference first round series.
• The LA Clippers want to regroup after losing their home court advantage in Game 1.
• Despite taking Game 1, the Mavericks still open as the underdogs in this matchup.

Dallas Mavericks vs LA Clippers Odds

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Dallas Mavericks vs LA Clippers Predictions and Picks

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Head-to-Head: Dallas Mavericks vs LA Clippers

DAL: Role Player Production

Most will look at the Dallas Mavericks and think that it’s a one-man show. While Luka Doncic is very much the star, he’s got some great support – as seen in Dallas’ Game 1 victory over the Clippers.

Doncic paced the Mavericks in Game 1, but in the fourth quarter, they relied on their role players. While Doncic missed all five of his fourth-quarter field goal attempts, the combination of Kleber, Porzingis, Hardaway, and Brunson contributed 26 of the team’s 27 fourth-quarter points.

As the Clippers focus in on the Doncic, the Dallas role players must continue to make plays without their star guard. If they fail to produce, the Clippers will overwhelm them.

Mavericks Key Player: (F-C) Kristaps Porzingis

Monday energy brought to you by @kporzee ? #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/SGvCNN8NOz

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) May 24, 2021

Head Coach Rick Carlisle knows what he’s getting out of Luka Doncic, however, he’s not as certain when it comes to supposed second-star Kristaps Porzingis.

In-Game 1 against the Clippers, Porzingis posted just 14 points and four rebounds on four of 13 shooting from the field. At least on the offensive end, Porzingis is leaving Mavs fans wanting.

Doncic was blitz by the Clippers more than a couple of times on the offensive end. Luckily, other players were able to convert when they were called upon. But if Porzingis can emerge as a legitimate second option, they’ll be a difficult team to manage.

LAC: Be Disciplined, Don’t Panic

The LA Clippers didn’t play an awful game when they came up against the Dallas Mavericks, they just weren’t able to execute in key moments.

Too often though was Doncic able to exploit the pick-and-roll with Zubac. For a team with as many talented perimeter defenders as the Clippers have, they can’t continue to be lazy guarding Doncic.

In what projects to be another tight game, the Clippers must be more effective in the clutch. They allowed their opponents to shoot 44.4% in the fourth and get to the free-throw line ten times. LA needs to be more clinical closing games.

Clippers Key Player: (F) Kawhi Leonard

KAWHI LEONARD IS A BAD MAN. (via @espn) pic.twitter.com/iIvGmPA6Py

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 22, 2021

The LA Clippers brought in Kawhi Leonard to be the man to lead them to a championship. While he certainly can’t carry the load all on his own, Leonard needs to be more productive in the clutch.

Leonard posted 26 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals in 40 minutes of play. He shot just one of six from three though, while also converting on just one field goal in the fourth quarter.

Head coach Tyronn Lue certainly can’t ask for much more than he’s getting from Leonard, including his defensive contributions. But the Clippers will certainly want Leonard to reawaken the clutch gene that was seen in his 2019 NBA Championship run.