Rogers' ESPN Wednesday Night SHOWCASE >> 25-11-1 L37 NBA Sides! 89-50-5 L144!
(NBA) Dallas vs. LA Clippers,
Point Spread: 12.00 | -110.00 Dallas (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 32-45 Dallas Mavericks have been eliminated from playoff contention and visit LA having lost five of their last six games. Dirk Nowitzki (14.4 & 6.7) missed Tuesday's 98-87 loss to Sacramento after his Achilles' tendon flared up during Sunday's victory over Milwaukee. The Mavericks hope to have his services against the LA Clippers, who at 47-31, are now just one game behind the fourth-place Utah Jazz with four remaining for both teams.

Dallas: Head coach Rick Carlisle is hoping the night off against the Kings will help alleviate the soreness for Dirk. "He is feeling better," Carlisle told reporters after the loss in Sacramento. "Could be most likely a game-time decision. The signs are good at this point." However, there is more bad news for Dallas, as Seth Curry (12.8) will likely will miss his third straight game due to a shoulder injury. Wesley Matthews (13.7)missed the Sacramento contest due to rest but should play here.


LA Clippers: The Clippers are headed toward a first-round playoff matchup with the Jazz but the team with home-court advantage will be teh favorite to win that matchup, as both teams have won more than two-thirds of their home games (Jazz are 27-12 at home and the Clippers 26-12). Los Angeles hasn't played since Saturday so the team should be well rested. The Clippers play three of their final four games at home but the road contest is at San Antonio and one of the homes games is against Houston. That makes this game vs. Dallas a must.

The pick. However, the Mavericks have actually won the last two meetings with the Clippers, after dropping 12 of the previous 16. Sure LA is likely to win but note that the Clippers are just 2-8 ATS at home their last 10 as double digits favorites, with one of those ATS wins coming against the Cavs, when they rested LBJ, Kyrie and Love. Make Dallas an 8* play.