Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview, Prediction, and Picks

The Dallas Mavericks travel to the Staples Center in sunny California for a road matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday afternoon. The Mavericks (9-6) are off to a promising start but fell to the Phoenix Suns 102-94 Friday night. The Clippers (9-7) are fifth in the Western Conference through 16 games and have been getting it done defensively. LA opens this home matchup as slight favorites.

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Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Lines

At Basketball Insiders, we get all of our game lines and information from the best betting sites. All of the game lines that are featured below are taken from BetUS.

Point Spread: Los Angeles Clippers -2.5
Money Line: LA -140/ DAL +120
Total: Over/Under 213

Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Injury Report

Luka Doncic is dealing with an ankle and knee sprain and remains questionable heading into this road tilt. Maxi Kleber (oblique) is expected to miss this game and will rejoin the club after November 23rd. 

The Clippers are dealing with a laundry list of injuries. Nicolas Batum (Achilles), Keon Johnson (ankle), Marcus Morris (knee), and Justise Winslow (personal) are all game-time decisions heading into Sunday’s game. Kawhi Leonard (knee) will be sidelined indefinitely. 

Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview

Mavericks Hopeful Doncic Injury Not Serious

The Mavericks avoided a major setback when tests on star guard Luka Doncic’s left ankle and knee came back with no signs of structural damage. Dallas began a four-game road trip on Wednesday and will ask guard Jalen Brunson to garner a greater role again if Doncic is forced to miss his third straight contest. 

6'4" vs 6'11", advantage Franky pic.twitter.com/3IXaovlGpu

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) November 20, 2021

Brunson scored 18 points in 37 minutes on Wednesday and is averaging 15.3 points while shooting 50 percent from the field. The Villanova product has scored in double figures in eight consecutive games, including a career-high-tying 31 points in a victory at San Antonio on Nov. 3. Although only appearing in 10 games, Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 19.4 points and 7.9 rebounds. He will also be expected to shoulder an expanded role if Doncic misses an extended period. 

Paul George and Clippers Playing Well

Los Angeles was expected to struggle without their premier scorer in Kawhi Leonard, but Paul George has answered the call with an excellent start to the season. The 11th year vet is averaging 26.7 points on 44.9% shooting, to go along with 8 rebounds and 5.1 dimes per contest. 

The hustle by @terance_mann. 💪

📺 @BallySportWest | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/83G1efSS1d

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 20, 2021

The Clippers are rolling, winning eight of their last nine games after a slow start to the season. George, Reggie Jackson, Eric Bledsoe, and Ivica Zubac are playing well and helping to make up for the absence of Kawhi Leonard, who may not play this season after knee surgery. LA is giving up a modest 103.7 points per game this year, good for 8th in the NBA. Expect those numbers to dive even lower, as they have been feverish on the defensive end through 15 games. 

Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Prediction and Pick

Kristaps Porzingis is also off to a strong start for the Mavericks. The 7-foot-3 forward has been on a tear since missing five games due to lower back tightness, averaging 22.8 points and 8.8 rebounds in his last six games. The Mavs need him and Brunson to continue carrying them without Luka. Doncic is averaging 24.9 points, 7.9 assists, and 8.3 rebounds per game this season. He’s one of the top scorers in the game today and will certainly be in the MVP conversation at the end of the year. 

With that being said, the Mavericks will be hesitant to rush the young star back into action after he banged up his knee and ankle. He did not play on Friday and remains questionable heading into this game. The Clippers will have no issues handling Porzingis and Brunson. Paul George and company are 6-3 ATS in their last nine games and have won eight of 10 overall. Take LA to win and cover at home. 

Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Totals Pick

The Clippers rank fifth in pace through the early parts of this season. Without their star player in Kawhi Leonard, they have deployed a run and gun approach in lieu of a half-court set. They rank top ten in field goal percentage and three-point field goal percentage. For that reason, the total number has gone over in five of their last seven games. This has all the makings of a high-scoring, fast-paced Western Conference matchup. Take the over here, and jack up the number for some added juice.