The Los Angeles Clippers will play as guests when they take on Luka Doncic and the Mavericks on Tuesday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Both teams are sitting side-by-side at the Western Conference win-loss tally with the Clippers ahead by just a single victory at 12-5, good for third place. The Mavs are tied with the Utah Jazz for the fourth and fifth spots with 11-5 each.

Both the Clips and Mavs are on a roll, winning their last five assignments, respectively.

Doc Rivers will have to defy the stats, however, as his Clippers are awful so far when playing away from Los Angeles. The Clippers are holding a 1-4 road record while the Mavs are playing pretty well in front of their home crowd, 6-3.

The recent play of sophomore rising star Luka Doncic will not help the cause of the Kawhi Leonard-led Clippers. After 16 games, the Serbian guard has already penetrated the early MVP conversation as he is currently averaging close to a triple-double of 30.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 9.8 assists while being the top player in efficiency rating with 33.35.

The Clippers are expected to bank on their depth again in this game. The last timeout, Montrezl Harrell erupted for 34 points and 12 boards in 28 minutes off the bench as the Clips destroyed the Pelicans, 134-109. Lou Williams likewise contributed 19-3-4 as a non-starter.

Odds:

Strangely, the odds are putting the home team to the underdog side. Despite their dismal showing on the road, the Clippers will enter the game handicapped by 2.5 points, projecting them to have a 57 percent chance to defeat the Mavs. The total line is at O/U 227.5.

Just like their straight-up road record, the Clippers are also forgettable ATS in games as visitors, losing their last four. In absolute contrast, the Mavs are winning over the spread in their last four home games.

In the total trend, the teams’ respective games have been going OVER more often. The total went OVER 5-2 in the Clippers’ last seven road games while the Mavs hold an 11-1 OVER win in their last 12 games against a West team.

Prediction:

Just follow the trend as it is an easy choice for all main markets. Pick Dallas’ value in the money line market and back them up to cover the spread as well.

Expect these teams to gang up on a scoring field day. Go OVER the total market line.

Paul George Kawhi Leonard Clippers
Paul George #13 Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard #2 during overtime against Boston Celtics at Staples Center on November 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images