The Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers will break a series tie this Thursday in an all-important showdown in Hollywood. Will the script of the basketball gods favor Dallas? Or, will the Clippers regain the series lead and move a win away from closing out this first-round matchup?
Catch this game live on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM, Manila time
Away: Dallas Mavericks (2-2)
Projected Starting Five:
- Luka Doncic (Probable)
- Kyrie Irving
- Derrick Jones Jr.
- P.J. Washington
- Daniel Gafford
The Mavs didn’t do any favors in Game 4’s 116-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at home by letting James Harden and company bury Dallas in a big 31-point lead. Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks mounted a spirited comeback attempt but ultimately failed at pulling off a miracle. It was the second time that the Mavs lost a game in the series in which theft allowed Los Angeles to build a huge lead.
That might be a coaching issue for Dallas, and one that Jason Kidd must address before it becomes a larger problem in the series. Irving led the Mavs in Game 4 with 40 points on 14/25 shooting from the floor, while Doncic, hobbled by a knee problem, had 29 points but went 10/24 from the field and shot a pathetic 1/9 from deep. Doncic is listed as probable for Game 5 but as long as his nerves in his leg work, he can be expected to suit up in this Thursday’s pivotal match.
Home: Los Angeles Clippers (2-2)
Projected Starting Five:
- James Harden
- Terance Mann
- Norman Powell
- Paul George
- Ivica Zubac
Kawhi Leonard is not going to play in Game 5. However, the Clippers are still a formidable bunch even without the Klaw. James Harden is having some kind of a renaissance on the court in the playoffs, as he’s doing a fine job with the extra load handed to him because of Leonard’s absence.
The former league MVP is averaging 26.0 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 54.1 percent from the floor. Then there’s Paul George. Harden and PG13 combined for 66 points and 15 dimes in Game 4. Those two are among the best playmakers and shot-creators in the league and they are showing that in this series versus the Mavericks. The Clippers’ outside shooting has also been the best in the NBA overall in the playoffs, as they have connected on 43.5 percent of their 3-point attempts since the end of the regular season.
Picks
Spread: Dallas Mavericks (-3.0)
Over/Under: Under (207.0)
