The best-of-seven series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks now makes its way to the American Airlines Center for Game 3 on Friday night with their first-round matchup locked at one game apiece.
Let's put together a same-game parlay and win some money.
Series Preview: Clippers vs. Mavericks Betting Odds
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 3
Matchup Page: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks, 8 p.m. ET
| Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Dallas Mavericks ATS -4.5 | -112 |
| P.J. Washington OVER 11.5 Points | -122 |
| Ivica Zubac To Record 12+ Rebounds | +145 |
| Overall | +616 |
Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 1: Dallas Mavericks ATS -4.5
The return of Kawhi Leonard in Game 2, despite the superstar forward still being hobbled after missing an extended period with knee inflammation, was supposed to invigorate the Clippers. He was the missing piece, completing the team's loaded Big 3 and putting Los Angeles in the best situation possible to handle the Mavericks. That obviously didn't happen in an eventual 96-93 loss to the visitors, and that may have had the polar opposite effect by now inspiring Dallas heading into Game 3.
The Mavericks being 4.5-point favorites is the largest of the series thus far, and prior to a 107-89 loss to the Detroit Pistons on April 12 in which a number of their starters sat, Dallas had won five-straight games both SU and ATS when being favored by as many points on its home court.
Leonard's health and his ability to return to form following a 7-of-17 performance with five misses from behind the arc could turn this series on its head in a hurry. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are averaging a combined 59.5 points between the two of them, and their teammates should only improve with a home crowd rallying behind them. Los Angeles may still steal a game in the Lone Star State, but they'll likely need to wait until Sunday afternoon to do so until we see more out of Leonard.
Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 2: P.J. Washington OVER 11.5 Points
P.J. Washington is the only player on the Mavericks not named Doncic or Irving averaging more than 10 points per game at 14.5. No one else on the roster is producing more than five, which is a credit to the carrying job of Dallas' backcourt tandem that this series is even tied following two outings in Los Angeles.
The Mavericks needed every last bucket out of Washington on Tuesday to pull out the three-point win. The 25-year-old big man dropped 18 points and nailed three shots from behind the arc in 35 minutes.
His heavy role in the rotation is solidified, totaling the most minutes of any frontcourt player by far (72) ahead of the likes of Max Kleber (54), Derrick Jones Jr. (50), Dereck Lively III (40), and Daniel Gafford (24). While Washington only had 11 points in Game 1, which would hit the UNDER on Friday, but he'd need only one more point to complete this leg in Game 3, which he should accomplish and then some.
Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 3: Ivica Zubac To Record 12+ Rebounds
It's been such a mismatch in the low post for Ivica Zubac against any one of Dallas' bigs. Gafford is a liability, Lively III has the length but isn't nearly strong enough, and while Kleber can stretch the floor to create an advantage while on offense, things get ugly almost instantly the moment Los Angeles retaliates.
Leonard's return didn't hurt Zubac's rebounding numbers in Game 2 after a monster 20-point, 15-rebound double-double in Game 1. The 7-footer registered 13 points and 12 boards in 33 minutes, marking the third time in 2023-24 Zubac has grabbed at least 12 rebounds in a game against the Mavericks.
With only four total personal fouls, Zubac picking up ticky-tacky calls to send him to the pine isn't an issue as of yet. The odds aren't in his favor, but he hasn't given anyone a reason to doubt that he can't secure at least 12 missed shots for a third game in a row.
