Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks 2/12/22: Starting Lineups, Betting Odds, Prediction
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Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Matchup Preview (2/12/22)
The Los Angeles Clippers (27-30) get another chance to topple Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks (33-23) Saturday night. The Clippers are 4-6 in their last ten games; they rank 17th in Offensive Rating and 20th in Defensive Rating over that span. The team is coming off a 112-105 loss to the Mavericks on Thursday. Marcus Morris led the Clippers in scoring with 21 points on 9/16 from the field. New acquisition Norman Powell filled the box score with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Reggie Jackson also chipped in 18 points and 8 assists. Off the bench, Terance Mann kept the Clippers afloat with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Mann paced the team in plus/minus with a +8 mark. In this rematch, key starter Norman Powell is a game time decision. If he cannot play, rookie Amir Coffey may return to the starting lineup after already starting 20 games this season. Luke Kennard and Terance Mann would also see their role increased from Powell’s absence.
The Mavericks are rolling as Luka is finding his scoring groove. They rank 9th in Offensive Rating and 7th in Defensive Rating over their last ten games, resulting in a 7-3 record. In their victory over the Clippers, Luka dropped 51 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists on a 65 FG% and a 50 3PT%. He scored 28 points just in the 1st quarter! Dorian Finney-Smith, who just signed a four-year extension, scored 12 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Jalen Brunson took a backseat in this game with Luka completely controlling the ball (rightfully so), but he still managed to produce 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. At the trade deadline, the Mavericks traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. The new additions are both game time decisions. Tim Hardaway Jr, who has missed the past eight games, is out until at least April.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Betting Odds
The Mavericks are 2-1 against the Clippers this year with their most recent win being Thursday. In the first game on November 21st, the Clippers won 97-91, although Paul George played in that one and Luka did not. The Mavericks won the 2nd game 112-104 on November 23rd in overtime. Kristaps Porzingis (30 points) and Reggie Jackson (31 points) led their respective teams in scoring. In this final matchup of the regular season, I like the Mavericks to once again defeat the Clippers. Norman Powell’s health is a concern, and Luka is scorching the NBA at the moment. If Dinwiddie is able to play, that is icing on the cake for them.
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TV Schedule
Date: 2/12/22
Time: 8:30 PM ET
Arena: American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX
Channel: NBA League Pass
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Los Angeles Clippers Starting Lineup
PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Norman Powell
SF: Nicolas Batum
PF: Marcus Morris
C: Ivica Zubac
Los Angeles Clippers Analysis
The Clippers are worried about one player: Luka Doncic. Even though he has not beaten the Clippers in the playoffs, Luka is averaging 33.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 9.5 APG on a 49/39/60 shooting split against them in 13 playoff games. He is also coming off a game in which he completely and utterly annihilated the Clippers. With Kawhi and George injured, along with Bledsoe traded, the Clippers do not have any semblance of a defense against him. Reggie Jackson, Nicolas Batum, and Norman Powell are helpless against him. Morris cannot guard him on the perimeter. The Clippers will likely double-team Luka and get the ball out of his hands as much as they can. They need to force the other Mavericks to beat them, even if they get open shots. The Clippers cannot allow Luka to dominate as a pick and roll ball handler or in isolation; the best they can do is attempt to make him a spot up shooter.
On offense, Marcus Morris will be the featured scorer again. He has experience in this role from his time with the Knicks, where he averaged 19.6 PPG in 43 games. On the whole, Morris has been efficient on offense, whether it be as a spot up shooter, in isolation, posting up, or running the pick and roll. Dorian Finney-Smith will likely mark Morris, but Morris will get his shots off regardless. Terance Mann is a positive force on their bench; the Clippers need another well-rounded game from him.
Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup
PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Jalen Brunson
SF: Reggie Bullock
PF: Dorian Finney-Smith
C: Dwight Powell
Dallas Mavericks Analysis
Outside of Luka, the Mavericks will look to get Jalen Brunson involved. Reggie Jackson is an average defender, and Brunson can take advantage of him in the pick and roll, where he has been one of the most efficient ball handlers in the NBA. He can also spot up for catch and shoot threes when Luka is orchestrating the offense. The Mavericks will target the Clippers backcourt with the combined firepower of Luka and Brunson. If Spencer Dinwiddie plays, he will bring another dimension to the Mavericks. Dinwiddie is a capable ball handler and scorer, although his shooting is lacking. His expertise lies in the pick and roll, which gives the Mavericks three great options in this role.
Defensively, the Mavericks must quench the Clippers outside shooting. On the season, the Clippers are 7th in 3PT%. Paul George is out, but they are still loaded with sharpshooters from three – Luke Kennard (43.1%), Norman Powell (42.9%), Nicolas Batum (40.9%), Amir Coffey (39.2%), and Marcus Morris (38.7%). If the Mavericks can stop the Clippers from raining threes all night, they will have the definite edge in this one.
Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Daily Fantasy Picks
If Luka Doncic is not in your lineup, then you need to reconsider. Doncic torches the Clippers virtually every time he faces them; it seems as though it is personal with him. I do not expect a triple-double because he will look to score again. With that being said, I am projecting him to score at least 35 points with around 8 rebounds and assists. His price tag is exceptionally high, but Luka’s production actually merits it. I also like Marcus Morris in this matchup strictly off of the opportunity. Norman Powell is ailing and will not be 100% if he plays. Morris is the unquestioned number one option right now for the Clippers, which he has put to good use. Morris will drop 20+ points on another efficient night. It would be shocking if he records 0 assists and rebounds like he did last game. Luke Kennard is a dark horse in this matchup. He will be cheap, and his accuracy from deep means he can have a huge game. When he is feeling his shot, Kennard can drop 20 points on 6 threes with ease.
