The Los Angeles Clippers got off to a blazing start this season but many were wondering if they could keep it up. Those fears have been well-founded as Los Angeles has not been playing very well of late. The Clippers will aim to turn it around in a matchup against the Dallas Mavericks this week.
Los Angeles has the better record and the home court advantage so it figures to be the favorite in this showdown. The Clippers and Mavericks are both aiming to make the postseason and games like this are important because they could finish the year with similar records.
The season is young but both the Mavericks and the Clippers could use this victory in NBA wagering.
This NBA basketball game between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California at 10:30 p.m ET on Thursday, December 20th, 2018. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
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Odds Analysis
The Clippers are 17-12 on the season and they have started to slip down the standings due to a recent lull. Los Angeles has played very well at home with nine victories in 12 games and needs to keep that up.
The Mavericks are 15-13 in the year. They have been awful on the road with only two victories in 12 attempts. Dallas has a group that has been better than projected but it’s going to have a hard time making the postseason unless it can find some more success away from home.
Key Stat
5. That’s the number of losses for Los Angeles in its past six games. The Clippers started the season with a 16-7 record and were actually atop the Western Conference standings for a spell but have since started to show some holes.
The Clippers are in the midst of a three-game losing streak, although all of the defeats have been against some good teams in the Raptors, Spurs and Thunder. Los Angeles began this lull by losing to the Grizzlies and Heat, and the only win during this timeframe came over the lowly Phoenix Suns in overtime.
The Clippers weren’t as good as they looked early in the season but they are still a decent team and are hoping to kick this skid.
Player To Watch
Luka Doncic -- The Mavericks’ rookie small forward is having an impressive inaugural campaign in the NBA. Doncic is averaging 18.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three-point range.
Doncic had 28 points and nine assists last time out against the Kings and will look to put together another nice outing.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Clippers should be able to break out of their lull with a victory here. Dallas is almost as good as Los Angeles but the home court is a big deal in this one considering how well the Clippers have played at home and how badly the Mavs have done on the road.
The Clippers and Mavericks are likely going to finish on the edge of either qualifying for the playoffs or missing them, so a game like this is critical even though the season is still young. Los Angeles is the pick to win this game in NBA gambling.
NBA ATS Pick: Los Angeles Clippers 109, Dallas Mavericks 106
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