Its the Dallas Mavericks vs. the L.A. Clippers tonight, and with Chris Paul possibly sidelined due to injury, is their hidden value to be found? See which
NBA picks our handicappers are taking to their
sportsbook tonight.
The Dallas Mavericks have heated up at the betting windows, cashing with a 10-2 spread record in their last 12 games. Rick Carlisle’s crew plays the second date of a three-game road trip in tonight’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, who have had the ‘under’ collect at 4-2 in their first six home games.
Sports betting shops were slow to post their NBA odds due to Clippers guard
Chris Paul (18 PPG) being listed as “questionable” with a hamstring
injury. Mavericks veteran Vince Carter (9.5 PPG) will miss the matchup
with a foot sprain, with Carlisle considering this a “significant loss” to the
team’s bench.
Los Angeles is playing its final contest of a double back-to-back
spot, taking the court for a fourth game in five days. Dallas is squaring
off in the front end of its own back-to-back, finishing the journey with
Thursday’s visit to Utah.
Mavs edged out by Lakers
Dallas saw a five-game winning streak end in Monday’s 73-70 defeat
as a 3.5 point road dog against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks
were held to 35 percent field shooting, while edging out the Lakers in
rebounds, 49-44.
Mavs forward Dirk Nowitzki notched a team-high 21 points, while
adding seven boards. Nowitzki’s mate Lamar Odom led his squad’s bench in
scoring with 10 points, returning to Staples Center after seven straight years
with the Lakers.
The tight battle’s combined 143 points plunged below the NBA betting ‘total’
of 181.5, bringing the ‘under’ to 10-1 in the Mavericks’ last 11 games. Mavs guard Jason Terry logged seven of his team’s 16 assists, while both
clubs united for a meager 5-for-36 night beyond the arc.
Clippers crushed without Paul
The Clippers ended a three-game winning streak with Tuesday’s
108-79 setback as a four-point road favorite against the Utah Jazz. Paul
missed his second straight game for Los Angeles, who was outscored in
fast-break points, 27-8.
Clippers forward Blake Griffin logged his sixth straight
double-double, finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Griffin’s mates
Chauncey Billups and Caron Butler united for 24 points and seven assists, while
going a collective 0-for-8 beyond the arc.
The lopsided affair’s combined 187 points dipped below the ‘total’
of 190.5. Los Angeles was held to 36.5 percent field shooting, while
sinking 13-of-21 free throws.
Back the ‘under’ in this ESPN nightcap
Wednesday’s tip is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. (ET), with ESPN
providing the national television coverage as the back end of an NBA
doubleheader.
I am adding the ‘under' to my NBA picks, looking for the
low-octane stretch of both clubs to continue in this spot. The ‘under’ is
4-1 in Dallas’ last five road games, while also going 4-1 in the Clippers’ last
five spots that followed giving up at least 100 points in the team’s prior
contest.
Dallas has allowed 88.5 PPG, ranking third in the league, while
holding foes to 41.3 percent field shooting on the road. Nowtizki and Co.
have been on an even bigger tear in their last three battles, giving up a
stingy 69.7 PPG.
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan leads the Western Conference in
blocks (3.1 BPG), including 13 over his last four duels at Staples
Center. Griffin is third in boards (11.4 RPG) behind Minnesota’s Kevin
Love and the Lakers’ Andrew Bynum (13.9 RPG), making second-chance points for
foes at a premium.
The ‘under’ is 2-0 in both of the Clippers’ spots this year that followed no
rest. Look for Griffin and Co. to put up far less than their 100.1 PPG
average at home, getting the money for ‘under’ backers in this spot.
My Picks: 'Under'