Date/Time: 01-21-2020, 20:30 EDT / 01:30 GMT
Spread: Dallas Mavericks -1 Total: +229.5
Two of the six best teams currently in the West are clashing in the only game following Martin Luther King day, when the sixth Dallas Mavericks are hosting the third Los Angeles Clippers. Dallas have won 4 straight while LA have lost only once in their last 6 and both teams want to continue on the winning ways.
The Mavs are 27-15 so far this season and sit on the sixth place of the Western Conference. They have won their last 4 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against Portland at home, 120-112. Luka Doncic leads the team in scoring with 28.9 ppg, which is the fourth-best in the league. He also leads the team both in rebounding with 9.7 and in assists made with 9 per game which is the third-best in the NBA. Kristaps Porzingis adds 17.3 ppg and 9.4 rebounds per game but he is out with an injury.
LA are 30-13 so far this season and currently sit in the 3rd place of the Western Conference. They are 5-1 in their last 6 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against New Orleans on the road, 133-130. Kawhi Leonard leads the team both in scoring with 26.9 ppg and in rebounding with 7.3 per game. He also adds 5.1 assists, while Paul George follows with 23.5 ppg, 6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game but he injured and unavailable.
LA won on the road by 15 points in the previous matchup between those two teams. Dallas have a 13-10 home record, while LA have a 11-9 road record. Both squads are very close offensively (116.7 and 116.2 ppg), defensively (109.4 and 109.6 ppg), in field goal percentage (46.6% to 46.3%), rebounding (45.8 to 45.6) and assists made (24.2 to 23.6). Dallas are better in 3-point percentage (36.1% to 35.2%) and also commit fewer turnovers per game (12.9 to 15.5). Both teams are missing their second-best scorers (Porzingis, George) but Dallas have been only above average at home this season (13-10), so expect the guests to get away with the win one way or another.
Clippers vs Mavericks Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers +1 (-110)
