The Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks will meet in the 4-5 matchup in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, making it the third postseason meeting between the two franchises in the last five seasons. The Clippers won the first two postseason series but Luka Doncic and company have surged in the final stretch of the season to get to this point. It should be a good series with plenty of long-term implications for both teams regardless of the result.
Here’s a look at some of our favorite series props for this matchup, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Clippers vs. Mavericks series props
Over 5.5 games in series (-195)
Unfortunately, there isn’t an alternate line to get over 6.5 games. I believe this series will go the distance based on how close these teams have been. There have only been two instances of either team being on a three-game winning streak in the head-to-head matchup over the last five seasons if you include playoff games. In regular season meetings only, no team has won more than two consecutive games. The last time these teams met, the series went to seven games. I think this is easy money.
LA Clippers +1.5 games (-150)
Regardless of whether you have the Clippers or Mavericks winning the series, this is a good prop to back if you think the matchup will go to Game 7. The Clippers have homecourt advantage but that didn’t matter until the final game the last time these teams met in the playoffs. Leonard’s health might give people pause when backing the Clippers but the Mavericks have only surged recently defensively. It’s hard to know whether that will hold up against a well-rested LA team with good balance offensively. I think the Clippers are able to cover this line, even if they fall in Game 7.
Clippers to win Game 1/Clippers to win the series (+195)
I’m surprised this payout isn’t a bit higher, especially since the Clippers are underdogs to win the series. The last time these teams met, Dallas won Game 1 as part of a six-game stretch which saw the road team win each contest. I think Leonard playing in Game 1 makes all the difference for LA, especially with the team getting some extra rest. While Doncic has historically performed well, I don’t know that Dallas has much outside of Kyrie Irving offensively to match the Clippers in the opener. The Mavericks will figure things out as the series goes on, but I’ll lean towards the home side winning Game 7.