PREMIUM
Rogers' TOTAL DOMINATION >> 6-0 Sunday SWEEP! 24-9 L33!
(NBA) Dallas vs. LA Clippers,
Total: 212.00 | -115.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 212.00 | -115.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley were both solid in their team debuts for the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday (a 113-103 win over the Bulls), giving the 26-25 Clippers hope that they can still contend for a playoff spot after trading away franchise cornerstone Blake Griffin. The Clippers will welcome the 17-36 Dallas Mavericks to Staples Center on Monday night, with the Mavericks coming off a 106-99 win at Sacramento on Saturday. That victory ended ended a stretch of five straight losses and a run of six games in a row having failed to reach 100 points.
Dallas: Leading scorer Harrison Barnes (18.4) went 5-of-17 from the floor as the Mavericks dropped a 102-88 decision at Phoenix (Wednesday) to begin the trip but rebounded with a 7-of-14 outing on Saturday. Dallas also benefited from the return of reserve point guard J.J. Barea (11.3 & 5.9 APG), who missed three straight games with an oblique injury but returned at Sacramento and handed out 11 assists in 24 minutes. Rookie PG Dennis Smith (14.7-3.9-4.8) has been one of the NBA's best first-year players but Dirk (12.1 & 5.6) is on the downside of his career and no longer a substantial contributor.
LA Clippers: Harris is an underrated player, who is averaging 18.2 & 5.1 this season, after averaging 16.1 & 5.1 last season. Bradley is an outstanding defender and a reliable scorer, although he's still working his way into shape after battling a groin injury near the end of his tenure in Detroit. He started and played 32 minutes on Saturday. "I felt like it was good," Bradley told reporters. "I'm still getting my legs under me. But I feel like it was a good start for us. We're still getting used to each other. But I feel like once we're able to learn how to play off one another, the sky is the limit for this team." As long as LA keeps Williams (23.4 & 5.2 APG) and Jordan (11.6 & 14.9), he may be right.
The pick: However, LA is said to be looking to clear salary for upcoming free agency reasons and might not be done wheeling and dealing before the deadline, with a good chance that DeAndre Jordan is next to be on the move by Thursday. In two previous meetings this season, the Clipper won here in LA 119-98 and the Mavs won in Dallas, 108-82. LA's situation is "in flux" but I see both teams combining for more points than this over/under line reflects. Make teh Over an 8* play.
Dallas: Leading scorer Harrison Barnes (18.4) went 5-of-17 from the floor as the Mavericks dropped a 102-88 decision at Phoenix (Wednesday) to begin the trip but rebounded with a 7-of-14 outing on Saturday. Dallas also benefited from the return of reserve point guard J.J. Barea (11.3 & 5.9 APG), who missed three straight games with an oblique injury but returned at Sacramento and handed out 11 assists in 24 minutes. Rookie PG Dennis Smith (14.7-3.9-4.8) has been one of the NBA's best first-year players but Dirk (12.1 & 5.6) is on the downside of his career and no longer a substantial contributor.
LA Clippers: Harris is an underrated player, who is averaging 18.2 & 5.1 this season, after averaging 16.1 & 5.1 last season. Bradley is an outstanding defender and a reliable scorer, although he's still working his way into shape after battling a groin injury near the end of his tenure in Detroit. He started and played 32 minutes on Saturday. "I felt like it was good," Bradley told reporters. "I'm still getting my legs under me. But I feel like it was a good start for us. We're still getting used to each other. But I feel like once we're able to learn how to play off one another, the sky is the limit for this team." As long as LA keeps Williams (23.4 & 5.2 APG) and Jordan (11.6 & 14.9), he may be right.
The pick: However, LA is said to be looking to clear salary for upcoming free agency reasons and might not be done wheeling and dealing before the deadline, with a good chance that DeAndre Jordan is next to be on the move by Thursday. In two previous meetings this season, the Clipper won here in LA 119-98 and the Mavs won in Dallas, 108-82. LA's situation is "in flux" but I see both teams combining for more points than this over/under line reflects. Make teh Over an 8* play.
