Apr 26, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; The NBA referees separate Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) and LA Clippers guard Russell Westbrook (0) as they exchange words during the fourth quarter during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
- The Dallas Mavericks can take a commanding 3-1 series leads on the LA Clippers in Game 4 on Sunday
- Dallas’ defense has held the Clippers under 100 points in two straight wins
- See the LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks predictions, player props, picks, and injury reports for Game 4 on April 28
The Dallas Mavericks (52-33, 26-16 home, 49-36 ATS) quickly recovered from an ugly Game 1 loss to take a 2-1 lead on the LA Clippers (52-33, 26-16 away, 38-47 ATS) in their best-of-seven first-round series, and the Mavs can bring the Clippers to the brink of elimination in Game 4 in Dallas on Sunday afternoon at American Airlines Center (2:40 pm CT/3:40 pm ET).
The Clippers vs Mavericks Game 4 odds heavily favor Dallas doing just that, listing the Mavericks as 5.5-point home chalk and -210 on the moneyline.
LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Odds (Game 4)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Clippers | +5.5 (-110) | +175 | Over 209.5 (-105) |
| Dallas Mavericks | -5.5 (-110) | -210 | Under 209.5 (-115) |
The Clippers come back as +175 road underdogs while the game total is at just 209.5, which represents another steep drop in the total. Game 1 had a total of 221.5, while Game 2 decreased to 216.5, and Game 3 to 213.5. The first three games of the series have averaged just 195.3 PPG and all three have stayed comfortably under the total.
Odds as of April 28, 2024, at Caesars Sportsbook. Find the best NBA betting site for you.
The winner of the Clippers/Mavericks series will move onto the second round of the NBA playoff bracket where they will face the winner of the #1 OKC Thunder vs #8 New Orleans Pelicans series, which the Thunder currently lead 3-0.
Mavericks Defense Steps Up
The last two games have arguably been Dallas’ two best defensive performances of the entire season. The Mavericks finished just 18th in Defensive Rating during the regular season, allowing 115.6 points per game. But the Clippers have mustered just 183 total points in the last eight quarters, shooting just 40.7% from the floor in that span (64-of-157).
Luka Doncic (33.9 PPG, 9.8 APG, 9.2 RPG) was held to just 22 points in Game 3 along with 10 rebounds and nine assists, while Kyrie Irving had 21 and six assists.
On the Clippers side, James Harden had a team-high 21 points while Ivica Zubac added 19 and eight rebounds, but Paul George was almost invisible (seven points on 3-of-11 shooting in 30 minutes) while Kawhi Leonard, who continues to battle a knee injury, managed just nine points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes of action.
Clippers vs Mavericks Injury Reports
Kawhi is the only player listed on the Clippers injury report. The two-time NBA Finals MVP is questionable with the same knee injury that kept him out of Game 1. Leonard scored 15 points in 35 minutes in Game 2 before his seven-point performance in Game 3.
For the Mavericks, Doncic landed on the latest injury report, listed as questionable due to “right knee soreness”.
Tim Hardaway Jr (14.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG) is also questionable with a sprained ankle. Hardaway had six points in 16 minutes in Game 1 and no points in just six minutes in Game 2 before missing Game 3 entirely.
LAC vs DAL Player Props for Game 4
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Gafford (DAL) | 8.5 (Ov +114 | Un -135) | 5.5 (Ov -100 | Un -130) | OFF | OFF |
| Dereck Lively II (DAL) | 6.5 (Ov -122 | Un +102) | 4.5 (Ov -135 | Un +114) | OFF | OFF |
| Derrick Jones Jr (DAL) | 8.5 (Ov +102 | Un -122) | 3.5 (Ov +130 | Un -155) | OFF | 0.5 (Ov -148 | Un +125) |
| Ivica Zubac (LAC) | 12.5 (Ov -130 | Un +110) | 10.5 (Ov +102 | Un -122) | OFF | OFF |
| James Harden (LAC) | 18.5 (Ov -110 | Un -110) | 4.5 (Ov -135 | Un +114) | 7.5 (Ov -112 | Un -108) | 3.5 (Ov +136 | Un -162) |
| Kawhi Leonard (LAC) | 18.5 (Ov -100 | Un -120) | 5.5 (Ov +114 | Un -135) | 2.5 (Ov +136 | Un -162) | 1.5 (Ov +140 | Un -166) |
| Kyrie Irving (DAL) | 23.5 (Ov -130 | Un +110) | 4.5 (Ov -142 | Un +120) | 4.5 (Ov -125 | Un +105) | 2.5 (Ov -148 | Un +123) |
| Luka Doncic (DAL) | 33.5 (Ov -105 | Un -115) | 9.5 (Ov -110 | Un -110) | 9.5 (Ov -115 | Un -105) | 4.5 (Ov -115 | Un -105) |
| PJ Washington (DAL) | 11.5 (Ov -118 | Un -102) | 5.5 (Ov -148 | Un +124) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov -100 | Un -120) |
| Paul George (LAC) | 20.5 (Ov -120 | Un -100) | 4.5 (Ov -142 | Un +120) | 3.5 (Ov +105 | Un -125) | 2.5 (Ov -125 | Un +105) |
Player prop odds as of April 28 at DraftKings. See the list of DraftKings legal states.
Despite his relatively quiet Game 3 performance, and the relatively low total for the game as a whole, Doncic still has a massive point total of 33.5. Irving is the second-highest on the board at 23.5 while Paul George leads the Clippers players at 20.5.
LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Prediction
Unless there is more to Luka’s “injury” that is being let on, I expect the Mavs to record another lopsided win in Game 4. The aging Clippers roster has looked anemic and fatigued over the past two games, and Leonard is clearly not anywhere close to 100%. Paul George is supposed to be carrying the team in Leonard’s stead, but it wouldn’t surprise me after the series if we learn that PG13 is battling an ailment himself.
LAC vs DAL picks:
- Mavericks -5.5 (-110)
- Leonard under 18.5 points (-120)
Sascha was a hockey player in his youth, a lawyer in his capricious mid-20s, and has been with SBD since 2014. He specializes in football, basketball, politics, baseball, and hockey.