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The Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the favorites to win the NBA title since the season started back in November. With Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in town, the Clippers would have the firepower to finally win an NBA title.
Standing in the way first is the Dallas Mavericks. Luka Doncic is the game’s best young star. Does he have enough to pull the upset in Game 1?
Game: Dallas Mavericks (43-32, 37-35-3 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (49-23, 41-31 ATS)
When: 9:00 PM ET, Monday, August 17th, 2020
Where: AdventHealth Arena, Wesley Chapel, Florida
Current Line: LAC -6 Total: 230
Don’t forget that Leonard was last year’s NBA Finals MVP. He is averaging 27.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game this season. He had some of his best games against Dallas this season and averaged over 31 points a game in three meetings against the Mavericks.
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His partner in crime George has plenty of playoff experience under his belt and brings a 21.5 point scoring average to the table. Montrezl Harell is expected to return for the postseason after missing the eight seeding games. Harrell averaged over 18 points a game for the Clippers this season.
For the Mavericks, Doncic has been absolutely spectacular. His team, however, has not. Dallas went just 3-5 in their eight seeding games. Doncic put up three triple-doubles and two more double-doubles in those eight games.
In the Mavericks’ best game of the bubble, Doncic scored 36 points, had 19 assists, and 14 rebounds in a 136-132 win over Milwaukee in overtime. The problem for an online sportsbook is that games like that don’t always equate to victories for the Mavs.
In their very first bubble game, Doncic scored 28 points, had 13 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists, but Dallas lost to Houston 153-149 in overtime.
One of the big things to consider is that Doncic and his teammate Kristaps Porzingis have zero playoff experience. The Clippers, on the other hand, have plenty.
In betting Game 1, consider the following. Dallas is 0-4 ATS in their last four games against the Clippers. In their last eight games overall, the Mavericks are just 2-8 ATS. Before we move on, if you need some more NBA Free Picks, we have them for you daily.
For good measure, in their last six playoff games where they have been an underdog of 5.0 to 10.5 points, Dallas is 0-6 ATS.
The Clippers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games against teams with a winning record and 4-1 ATS overall in their last five. Breaking it down even further, the Clips are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Monday night games.
Los Angeles beat Dallas in each of the three games the two teams played this regular season. Surprisingly, each Mavericks loss was by exactly 15 points. The Clippers will come out firing on all cylinders in Game 1. Leonard and company will put the clamps on Doncic and Porzingis and introduce the youngsters to what NBA playoff basketball is all about.
The Clippers cover the six-point spread in Game 1.
NBA Free Pick: Clippers -6
