Red Hot Mavericks Host Clippers in Western Conference Clash Monday

Mon, Mar 15, 2021
By Jim Vassallo (Veri.bet Writer)

The Dallas Mavericks are 11-3 in their last 14 games played, moving them into the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference standings. At 20-17 overall, Dallas is sitting 7.5 games out of first behind the Utah Jazz, who have the best record in the NBA at 28-10.

The Mavericks host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, March 15, at 9 PM ET at the American Airlines Center.

In their last 10 games played, the Mavericks are 7-3 and are fresh off a 116-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets this weekend. Dallas is poised to make a run in the second half of the NBA season as they look to climb the standings and secure a first-round home playoff series.

The Los Angeles Clippers enter this game with a 25-15 overall record. The Clippers have played to a 4-6 mark in their last 10 games, including a 135-115 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans (four games out of the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference) in their most recent outing.

Luka Doncic is sixth in the NBA in scoring, averaging 28.2 points per game. The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard is 10th in the NBA in scoring, averaging 26.6 points per game.

The Mavericks have two players listed as day-to-day heading into tonight’s contest: Tyrell Terry (illness) and James Johnson (personal).

The Clippers will be without Patrick Beverley because of a knee injury and Serge Ibaka is listed as day-to-day.

The Clippers are just 1-4 in their last five games, while the host Mavericks are 4-1 in their last five. The Clippers’ lone win in that span was a 130-104 victory over the Golden State Warriors. The lone loss for the Mavericks in that span was a 116-108 setback to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Los Angeles sits in fourth place in the Western Conference standings but is just 1.5 games out of first place in the Pacific Division. The Clippers are one game behind the Los Angeles Lakers for second place in the division standings.

Dallas, eighth in the Western Conference, sits in a virtual tie for first place in the Southwest Division standings with the San Antonio Spurs. The top four teams in the Southwest are separated by just four games. Houston is bringing up the rear, nine games out of first, with an 11-26 mark. The Rockets have lost 16 straight games and are likely headed for a top pick in the NBA Draft if the lottery pans out.

Despite their recent success, the Mavericks are the underdogs in tonight’s Western Conference tilt. The Clippers enter tonight’s game as -1.5 favorites and hold the money line at -125. The over-under for total points is set at 227.5. 

It’s difficult to bet against a home team in the NBA, especially when they are 20-0 against the spread this season. That’s why you should put your money on the Mavericks at home with the +1.5 spread to take down the Clippers.