Clippers vs Mavericks Game 3 Odds and Picks

• The Clippers are 4.5-point favorites against Dallas in Game 3 of their first round series on Friday, August 21st at 9:00pm EST
• The Mavericks brought the series even with a 127-114 victory in Game 2
• Read below for analysis and the best bet on Game 3 between the Clippers and Mavericks

After a game one defeat, Dallas brought its first round series with the Clippers even with a 127-114 win on Wednesday.

Luka Doncic has been the hot hand so far, but heading into Game 3, it is still Los Angeles that has the edge in the Clippers vs Mavericks odds.

Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Game 3 Odds

Odds taken Aug. 20th

Luka Led Victory in Game 2

Doncic has been on fire offensively in this series, and his efforts are a big reason why Dallas has brought the series even against the West’s second seed. Through two games, he’s averaging 35 points, 8 assists, and 7.5 rebounds per game.

Those numbers are even more impressive when you consider that due to foul trouble, Doncic played only 28 minutes in the second game.

It’s been a less exciting performance from Kristaps Porzingis. He scored 23 and 14 in the first two games of this series, and the rebound (6.5), assist (.5), and block (1) averages in this series haven’t leapt off the page either. The Mavericks still somehow played well enough to win a Game 2 in which Doncic played only nine minutes in the second half, but if Luka gets into foul trouble again, Porzingis will have to take more command of the game.

George Must Step Up

While both teams’ primary stars have played well, each number two option has been inconsistent through these first two games. Like Porzingis for Dallas, Paul George must also step up for the Clippers.

George finished just 4-of-17 from the field and 2-of-10 from behind the arc in Game 2. He scored just 14 points, and added just two assists.

The lone bright spot for George on Wednesday was the 10 rebounds he pulled in, but that wasn’t enough to make up for the poor shooting night, especially the 1-for-4 fourth quarter.

What’s the Best Bet for Game 3?

A big advantage that the Clippers possess over Dallas is a third player who can create their own shot at an elite level. Lou Williams has been one of the better scorers in the league for a long time, and he provides LAC with a huge offensive boost off of the bench. In Game 2 he posted 23 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and a steal.

He fills the sixth man role perfectly, providing consistent offense for the Clippers. Williams is averaging 18.2 points per game this year, but the really great thing about him lately has been the consistency. In the Clippers’ last 5 games, he’s scored 12, 18, 23, 14, and 23 respectively. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but from a role player, the regular contribution of around 15-20 points is huge.

The Mavericks took Game 2, but things are still trending in the Clippers’ direction. Los Angeles has covered the spread in seven of their last 10 games, while Dallas has gone cold for bettors in just three of their last 10.

Things have been the same straight up, with LA winning three of their last four, and Dallas losing three of four.

Los Angeles is set for a bounce back after a game in which they shot just 29.4% from the three-point line and turned the ball over 15 times.

The Pick: Clippers -4.5 (-114)