NBA Best Bet: Clippers +8 (-115) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Friday’s Game 6 clash between the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks, the latest NBA odds are now available from top sportsbooks. For your best bet, I recommend investing in the Clippers.
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Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Friday, May 03, 2024 – 09:30 PM ET at American Airlines Center
Game 5 Observations
The Clippers were blown out in Game 5, making it tempting to dismiss them in Game 6.
But one has to expect them to perform much better. The fact that Game 6 is in Dallas is irrelevant – the Clippers have already shown that they can win there.
In fact, they achieved a 31-point first-half lead in Game 4 in Dallas thanks largely to the strong shooting of their stars and to the contributions of their supporting cast.
Game 5 was anomalous: Paul George and James Harden especially are much better than they showed in that game.
Given how bad they were – I refer to the terribly inefficient shooting and the turnovers – it’s clear that they were just off.
Game 6 Expectations
One has to expect these star players, Paul George and James Harden, to turn back on and resume their prior dominance, which they used to lead by 31 points in Game 4.
Crucially, L.A. is not going to play a hobbled Leonard. The Clippers on offense are more free-flowing and more naturally aggressive without Kawhi Leonard.
Their defense has also largely been very good this series, ably holding the Mavericks to below 50 points per half.
After so many games and adjustments, I don’t foresee that changing. Luka Doncic just had one of his masterclass performances in Game 5 and Dallas’ role players rather overachieved whereas Harden and George’s supporting cast underachieved.
Perhaps more Daniel Theis and his offensive efficiency and a refusal on the part of Russell Westbrook to continue embarrassing himself would further help L.A.’s prospects in Game 6.
The Pick
It’s not a coincidence that L.A.’s worst defensive performance coincided with its worst offensive one. It’s usually a good offense that will bring back the solid team defense.
NBA Best Bet: Clippers +8 (-115) at BetOnline
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