Albert
·
18h
My Prediction
Dallas Mavericks by 3There's a spicy little face-off on the horizon that might make some gamblers happy — let's talk about the Los Angeles Clippers tangling with the Dallas Mavericks.
James Harden has harnessed his beard magic for the Clippers recently, and it's not just for show. I mean, guy's been pulling in 24.8 points per game in the last month alone. Pair that up with Norman Powell matching that point average and Ivica Zubac raining down rebounds like confetti at a desert parade, and the Clippers boast a trio of consistent scorers.
But let's pivot to the Mavericks now, it's only fair since they're entertaining the visitors. They're down but not out: their top dogs, Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, are missing due to injuries. I'd start crying over my keyboard but that'd probably void the warranty. Anyway, the Mavs aren't stripped bare, not by a long shot. P.J. Washington Jr. and Naji Marshall are relatively healthy and ready to rumble.
Let's remind ourselves of the past. The Clippers had their win against the Mavs clipped recently, and that might sting a little. While the previous confrontations have been a mixed bag, lately the Mavericks were able to keep the Clippers at bay by a healthy margin.
Just putting it out there: both the Clippers and the Mavs are comfortably lounging in the top half of the Western Conference table. You might wonder if there's bad blood between #4 and #5 and you bet, there is. It's like a cheesy sports movie.
If we tally everything up, I've got to tip my outrageous commentator hat towards the Mavericks this time. Losing Luka and Irving stings like a bee but they've had a reliable roster to take on the Clippers who've been quite inconsistent of late. And let's not forget about those brilliant mathematicians whose work tells me the Mavs are favored in this matchup. Let's put their degrees to good use, shall we?
Albert’s Prediction: Dallas Mavericks by 3