NBA Playoffs: (5) Dallas Mavericks @ (4) Los Angeles Clippers, Game 2

For the third time in five years, the Mavericks and Clippers are crossing paths in the Playoffs, with Dallas (50-32) hoping all to hell that this trilogy doesn't conclude in the same manner as the previous two installments. These teams met in the first round of both the 2020 and 2021 postseason, with the former lasting six games and the latter a full seven outings, with the Mavs coming up short on each occasion. With that being said, (HC) Jason Kidd wasn't directing a roster that is significantly stronger than it was before, with the likes of (perennial All-Star Guard) Kyrie Irving joining (MVP candidate) Luka Doncic to form one of the most prolific tandems in the NBA. Though they missed the Playoffs altogether last Spring, this is a team that bolstered their ranks at the Trade Deadline, which resulted in a blistering 16-4 stretch to close out the regular season. However, that momentum did NOT translate into success in Game One of this opening series, as they were run out of cyrpto.com Center in a 97-109 affair. Following a 22-34 first quarter, it even worse for the visitors, who were utterly dogwalked in the second period; the Mavericks were outscored 8-22, netting just 2-of-21 attempts from the field (9.5%), including 0-of-9 from beyond the arc, with more turnovers (4) than assists (2) en route to trailing by as many as 29 points. Oh, and did we fail to mention that they did all of this despite Los Angeles NOT having the services of Kawhi Leonard? Kidd may want to burn the tape of this one, folks...

Things to Know: An overwhelming 93% of the public is currently on the Mavericks tonight (who know what that means...), despite roughly 62% of all money going in the opposite direction (ATS of course). Dallas was one of the most bankable teams in the NBA this season ATS, posting 48-35 record (57.8%), equating to profit margin of +8.64 units. With that being said, it appears that the pendulum is swinging the other way; after covering 16 out 18 games, the Mavs have now failed to cover 3 straight outings for the first time since early March. They are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 first-round games. The Under has hit in each of their last 4 first-round affairs. Kidd & Co are just 4-6 SU in their last 10 meetings with the Clippers, while going 3-7 ATS in those meetings. One of the most efficient offenses in the NBA was decisively less so in Game One, as the Mavericks shot just 38.8% from the field, including 10-of-33 from downtown (30.3%), with a season-low 14 assists. They did, however, get to the charity stripe (25-of-33 FT), where they ended the affair +14.

Playmakers to Watch: It would be easy to say either Doncic or Irving, particularly after they combined for 64 points in Sunday's loss, but how about we something from the supporting cast? The rest of the Mavericks offered just 33 points on 10-of-36 shooting (27.7%). (Journeyman Center) Daniel Gafford has been a solid defensive presence at the rim and on the glass since arriving at the Trade Deadline, though finished Game One with a mere 3 points and 0 rebounds, while (promising rookie) Derek Lively II, matched that point total, but did bring four rebounds and three blocks to the table in nearly twenty minutes of action. Dallas has a serious size advantage over Los Angeles, though you wouldn't know after watching the opening salvo of this series.

Meanwhile, we must forgive the Clippers (51-31) for feeling like they stole one in Sunday's triumph, but anytime you can manage to win a playoff game so convincingly (109-97) without a superstar the caliber of Kawhi Leonard, you are justified. For the third time in the last four seasons, the 5-time All-NBA selection is dealing with some form of injury in the Playoffs, with lingering soreness in his right knee keeping him out of Game One's action. (HC) Ty Lue has been more than adept than he'd like when it comes to shuffling his rotation due to injury, though the expectation was that the two-time NBA Finals MVP would be ready to go after receiving an injection last Friday. With that being said, it was very much a case of no Kawhi, no problem for Los Angeles, as they manhandled the Mavericks on the strength of 28 points from James Harden, another 22 points from Paul George, and a combined 46 points from the triumvirate of Ivica Zubac, Russell Westbrook, and Terance Mann. As we covered earlier, the second quarter was where this one really got out of hand, folks, as the Clips outscored the visitors 22-8 despite shooting just 8-of-24 from the field (33.3%) and 1-of-7 from downtown (14.3%), though a cumulative 16 points from Harden and Westbrook helped carry them through to a 56-30 lead at intermission.

Things to Know: Even after hammering the Mavericks without Kawhi, it seems that public still hasn't wizened up, as just 7% of all bets placed are on Dallas, though 62% of the total money likes the Clippers, setting the table for a potential reprise of Game One. Consistency has been an elusive commodity of late for Los Angeles, who have failed to cover 5 straight games after winning by 10+ points. The Clips are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5 points. Lue & Co are 39-44 ATS this season (47.0%), equating to a profit margin of -8.55 units. LAC is 10-20 ATS (33.3%) since the All-Star Break and have managed back-to-back covers just twice during that span. Without Leonard, the rest of the rotation filled the void, including the likes of Zubac, with the underrated Center going off for 20 points on 11-of-17 shooting (58.8%) and 15 rebounds (4 offensive). Los Angeles was also 18-of-36 from beyond the arc (50.0%), parlaying to a commanding +24 advantage.

Playmaker to Watch: With Kawhi out indefinitely, who else but Harden will our attention be fixated on? After forcing his way out of his THIRD team in 4 years, the former MVP got what he wanted and returned home to play with Leonard and George in hopes of securing the super max contract that Philadelphia ultimately refused to give him following yet another playoff collapse. At 34-years old, he has clearly lost a step, but as we saw in Sunday's victory, he is still capable of making an impact as a flat-out scorer; Harden has been much more a facilitator with the Clippers (16.6 points, 8.5 assists), but his 28 points in Game One were the most he put up since March 4th. Dallas will get their offense in gear before long, which means that the bearded one must turn back the clock and invoke the form that led him to securing three consecutive scoring titles.

Our Take: Mavericks 108, Clippers 102