Mavericks @ Clippers Predictions: Clips to cover -7.5 with ease

In the last game of the night, we have the Dallas Mavericks taking on the host Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers opened as a 7-point favorite before the spread moved to 7.5.

This was a very intriguing series early on, with the Dallas Mavericks offense putting up almost historical numbers offensively. They averaged 50 percent from deep in the first three games. No matter how well the Lakers played defense, Luka and the rest of the team just couldn’t miss.

But the Clippers didn’t get frustrated. With veteran guys like Kawhi Leonard, they knew that if they kept doing the right things offensively, that the Dallas offense would regress, as 50 percent for a series is absurd.

Luka Doncic to me hasn’t been the same since he had that collision with Rajon Rondo in Game 3. For the rest of that game, you could see him grabbing his shoulder and rotating it and wincing in pain. If his shoulder is still tight, and Luka isn’t 100 percent, I don’t think Dallas has a chance.

Dallas’ best chances come when Luka gets around 30 and somehow manages to still get everyone involved. Kristaps Porzingis has been fun to watch in this series, as he has taken some steps toward becoming the version of him we saw in New York.

I think the Clippers take this one and take it big. Like I said, if Luka isn’t 100 percent, that changes this series immensely. They would need other-worldly efforts from guys like Jalen Brunson and Tim Hardaway Jr. to help make up for it, and having to rely on those guys in a playoff series is less than ideal.

I hope Luka can get back to 100 percent for next season and I hope Dallas finds away to make a move for a third piece, or second piece if you can manage to swap Porzingis for someone. If not, I could see a DeMar DeRozan signing in their future.

Meanwhile, Leonard has looked like prime Kawhi again, playing lockdown defense on the way to Los Angeles’ big Game 4 win while also scoring 29 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Sometimes we forget how good Leonard is just because of how quiet he is. Even in those first two games, he had 26-10-5, followed by 41-6-4.

The entire NBA fanbase was laughing at the Clippers after the first two games for losing to the Mavs because they intentionally tanked to be able to play them, as they thought they were the easier opponent. I’m not saying the only reason they’re going to win the game and series is because of Luka’s injury, but it surely makes things easier.

I think the Clippers win easily in this one at -7.5 and this came could be ugly by the start of the fourth, especially if Leonard is starting to look like the Leonard that carried Toronto to a NBA Title.