A pivotal Game 3 is coming right up for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks this Saturday. Will the Clippers regain control of the series lead? Or, will the Mavs get in front for the first time in this playoff matchup?

Catch this game live on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 8:00 AM, Manila time

Away: Los Angeles Clippers (1-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • James Harden
  • Terance Mann
  • Paul George
  • Kawhi Leonard
  • Ivica Zubac

The Clippers were denied of a chance to carry a 2-0 series lead to Game 3 after taking a 96-93 loss in Game 2 at home last Wednesday. However, the good news for the Clippers is that they finally have Kawhi Leonard back. For the first time since late March, The Klaw saw action in Game 2. He scored just 15 points on 17 shots from the field, but that’s just probably rust. 

Also, he played 35 minutes in that game, a good sign for Leonard, who can be expected to be more efficient and more effective overall in Game 3. And even though the Clippers shot just 36.8 percent from the field and went 8/30 from deep in Game 2, they only lost by three points, which could be taken as an encouraging sign by Los Angeles going into Game 3. 

The Clippers are 6-4 straight up and 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games in Dallas, dating back to the 2020-21 NBA season.

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Home: Dallas Mavericks (1-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Luka Doncic
  • Kyrie Irving
  • Derrick Jones Jr.
  • P.J. Washington
  • Daniel Gafford

The Mavs are feeling it. Not only did they steal a game in LA, but Luka Doncic and company have the momentum. In Game 2, the Mavs proved they can win an ugly game against a top-caliber squad. This time, Dallas must be hoping for a much more finesse performance. In the last game, the Mavs had Doncic scoring 32 points on a poor 11/26 shooting from the field, while Kyrie Irving went 8/18 for 23 points. 

The Mavs are always going to get great scoring production from their superstar duo, so it’s how the supporting cast plays that will largely define where the tide will shift in close games. Fortunately for Dallas in Game 2, PJ Washington stepped up and scored 18 points on 5/10 shooting from the field with three 3-pointers. If Washington sustains that form and Daniel Gafford finally gets his breakout game this Saturday, the Clippers could be in huge trouble.

Dallas is 7-3 SU and 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games as the home team since 2024.

Picks

Spread: Los Angeles Clippers (-4.5)

Over/Under: Over (211.0)

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