The Dallas Mavericks will be taking on the LA Clippers in a crucial Game 5 on Tuesday night. This first-round Western Conference series is currently tied 2-2.
The Clippers are one of the favorites to win it all but have faced some troubles against a hot Mavericks team. They will need to step it up to move on to the second round.
Doncic Staying Hot
Luka Doncic was a game-time decision in Game 4 after an ankle issue but got the nod to play. On the floor, he appeared to be just fine.
Doncic ended up 43 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists to lead Dallas to the overtime win. He hit a buzzer-beating three that won the game for the Mavericks.
If the Clippers plan on slowing this team down, they have to start with Doncic. He has been a triple-double machine, carrying the Mavericks in wins versus a talented Los Angeles team.
A big question in this game is whether or not Kristaps Porzingis will be able to play. He is listed as day-to-day because of knee soreness after missing Game 4.
“Look, a lot of this is going to be hour-to-hour, minute-to-minute type stuff, probably into the later stages of tomorrow,” head coach Rick Carlisle said Monday. “The game is at (9 p.m. ET) tomorrow night, so it may be late in the day, late in the evening, before we know for sure.”
The Mavericks survived without him in Game 4 but will need his help to win the series. He is averaging over 18 points a game in the playoffs.
Clippers Stepping It Up
The Clippers have built a championship team around head coach Doc Rivers. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are more than capable of leading a team to the NBA Finals.
However, it has been rough in the Orlando bubble. They haven’t reached the impressive play that many thought they would achieve.
Rivers spoke on needing to have his guys in better spirits. Every time the Mavericks make a run, the Clippers don’t know to respond. They could use George to start knocking down some shots.
“If I make shots, this series could be a little different, and that’s the obvious,” George said. “I’m getting looks, getting shots, the floor is open, the defenders aren’t great, but I’m just having a hard time finding the ball through right now.”
George went 3-of-14 from the field in Game 4, which won’t win this series for the Clippers.
Prediction
It will be a game-time decision for Porzingis, which has made oddsmakers set the line in favor of the Clippers at -7. The Mavs have all of the momentum, but it’s hard to count out a team with Leonard.
If the Clippers allow Doncic to have a similar performance to Game 4, the Mavs will win again. Even if they don’t win, I see this game being another close one.
I’ll take the Dallas Mavericks at +7 in this one.