Mavericks v Clippers
In what promises to be an absolutely fantastic game on Friday night, NBA betting fans can look forward to what might be the conclusion of the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks. This was a series full of energy last year, including that famous Luka Doncic step-back buzzer-beater. This year, the series has ebbed and flowed. The Mavs took a 2-0 lead, walking out of the Staples Centre with a 2-0 lead that was more than well deserved.
A pair of flop nights back home left the series in a tailspin, though, forcing a frantic Game 5. In a 105-100 win for the Mavs, Luka was at his best. Fears around a neck injury had worried fans that the Slovenian might just be missing when his team need him most. Instead Doncic delivered a ridiculous 42-point game and was backed up by the likes of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kristaps Porzingis turning up and really playing well.
Even with a solid lead, the Mavs nearly threw it away with a profligate 4th quarter that seen their scoring dip to worrying levels. If that kind of scoring form returns in Game 6, we might be looking at a Game 7.
Road team glory
The most interesting aspect of this series has been the fact that the away side has won every game. Indeed, it’s the first NBA Playoff series since 1995, and only the third in history, to see the road team pick up every game. This has added an increased edge into the fact that Game 6 is now an elimination night for the Clippers.
With talk of purposely dropping down the standings to avoid a first round tie-up with the LA Lakers, the Clippers looked awfully foolish after Game 2. They were facing the barrel of a rapid exit, and the likely end to the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George double act. With strong performances over in Dallas, the series was alive again – can they return back to the heat of Texas and pull off another road victory?
If you fancy the Clippers to have the opportunity to finish this off, they are currently around -140 on the Moneyline to win on Friday night. The Mavericks, meanwhile, are around +125 - check the link here if you need an explanation for the numbers.
There’s a lot of excitement around this game to come, though the fact the Mavs have gone cold again in the fourth quarter has some fans worry they might look weak in front of the hoop again when the series returns home.
If you see this being a high-scoring affair, you can get odds for over 216.5 points total at –112. The line started at around 220, so a lot of bettors have been thinking that this might be a low scoring game, do keep that in mind.
The end of the road for the Clippers?
This is going to be a very interesting match-up. Dallas suffered from a weak shooting hand in both home games, and will be looking to get at least into the 100-point mark. With the Clippers facing a first round exit and no doubt a blow-up of the team if that happens, though, expect the big two of PG13 and Leonard to arrive with hot hands.
Really, given this is an elimination game and most of the Clippers are still reeling from their 3-1 playoff loss last year to the Denver Nuggets, this is a game they have to not only win, but win well. Given all the talk of a new King being in town and how the George-Leonard duo was the best in the NBA, the time for jawing is over.
We expect, though, that the Clippers will take this to a Game 7. Dallas have, Luka aside, really struggled to score or create; despite being free from that troublesome neck injury in Game 5, if the Mavericks are still reliant on Luka for scoring and assisting in Game 6 it might not be enough.
Betting Pick
We are backing the Clippers to win at -140 on the night and take this back to Staples Centre for another blockbuster match-up. All markets and many more NBA betting markets are available at all of our recommended sportsbooks making it possible to pick up extra value.
NBA Betting FAQ
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