LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks 3/17/21: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds

LA Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks Matchup Preview

The Clippers and Mavericks just played on Monday as the 2nd half schedule is going to continue to be tightly played in locations. Dallas struggled and lost by ten. They will look to rebound tonight, as both teams are in a hectic Western Conference battle. After a slow start to the season, Dallas is 7-3 in their last ten games and currently 8th in the standings. However, they are just a few games back of getting out of the play-in games. As for the Clippers, they are sitting in the 4th seed, but Denver is closing in fast. Neither team has played consistent basketball this season, but the Clippers could be reserving much of their energy as we have seen teams do this year. Los Angeles is a slight favorite in this one, as expected, and while the games have not been close this season as they have split the series so far, we should see a tighter game tonight. For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Clippers Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: 3/17/21
Time: 9:30 PM ET
Arena: American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX
Channel: ESPN

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LA Clippers Starting Lineup

PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Paul George
SF: Kawhi Leonard
PF: Nicolas Batum
C: Serge Ibaka

Clippers Analysis

It was a balanced attack last game against the Mavericks, but they had to rely upon Leonard and George heavily. Both played 38+ minutes and led the team in scoring. However, it was not a career night for either. Los Angeles had all five starters in double0digits, and Nicolas Batum and Lou Williams shot well off the bench. The Clippers shot 44% from three and 50% from the field overall. The big area of domination was rebounds and especially on the offensive side. They had nine total offensive boats and out-rebounded Dallas by 12. With both teams shooting well, this was certainly a difference in the game. Doncic was able to get 25 on this defense with a triple-double. Nobody else was able to do anything. Even Doncic had a tough time with seven turnovers and only 9-23 from the field. Putting the clampdown on surrounding options might be a better way for Los Angeles to keep Dallas at bay moving forward.

Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup

PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Josh Richardson
SF: Dorian Finney-Smith
PF: Maxi Kleber
C: Kristaps Porzingis

Mavericks Analysis

Coming off a ten-point loss, Dallas will be looking for a better effort tonight. Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis both put up 20+ points, but everybody else struggled. Tim Hardaway Jr did come off the bench to put up 21 points but didn’t do much else to influence the game. With three starters having sub-ten points, that one bench scorer won’t be able to make it up. Dallas has turned it up over the last month or so, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a bounceback game tonight. Dallas has beaten some tough teams of late, like the Spurs, Nets, Nuggets, and Celtics. They are just one game back of the Spurs for the Southwest division. We know what Doncic has been doing this season, but over the last ten, Porzingis is averaging 21 and 9 with 1.3 blocks per game.

Clippers vs. Mavericks DFS Angle

These types of matchups continue to give us a very centric DFS view because the usage is around about 4-5 players tops between both sides. For Los Angeles, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard take all the usage away and have the better floors, but their ceilings can be a bit limited at times, especially on a ten-game slate where you have other superstars like Curry, Embiid, Irving, and Harden. Luka Doncic has a higher ceiling than the two, and I would opt to pay for him over any of the Clippers stars. If you want to go for value guards, Reggie Jackson, Lou Williams, and Jalen Brunson have averaged 20+ fantasy points per game in the last five. Josh Richardson has also come around of late, and while he struggled last time out, a GPP play for him, and Hardaway Jr isn’t a bad look.

Clippers vs. Mavericks Betting Odds

Clippers Odds: -140
Mavericks Odds: +125
Over/Under: 227
Spread: LAC -2.5

The Clippers are 22-19 ATS this season, and the Mavericks are 17-21. This one is projected to be close with the two-point spread, and the average score of these games over the last ten have been 117-114, with the Clippers winning seven of the last ten and also covering in seven of those ten games. Offenses have been on full display in most games where the defenses lack. I think the over is pretty favorable here, with the Clippers not exactly putting 100% effort on the defensive side and the Mavericks struggle in that department.