The Los Angeles Clippers have now dropped the second game of the series after coming out of the gate hot winning game one and they will trek to Dallas in an attempt to take at least one game on the road in this playoff series against the Mavericks in this Friday night playoff matchup. We take a look at this matchup to make a Clippers-Mavericks prediction and pick.

(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

Los Angeles Clippers (52-32) got off to a roaring start in game one against the Dallas Mavericks. They were up as much as 26 points during the first half and didn't let up in the second half downing the Mavericks 109-97 in game one.

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However, game two was a completely different story. While Kawhi Leonard did finally make his return it seemed like it did more good than harm as he struggled mightily. This was in large part due to having some rust from being out with injury for so long. Now, with more time to practice, get healthy, and get in rhythm with his teammates we could see a better Leonard performance coming in game three.

If the Clippers get back to its midseason form this team that consists of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook that could make a run in this Western Conference playoffs.

Dallas Mavericks (51-33) came out flat in that first game of the series against Los Angeles. They let the Clippers have their way with them in the first half and they just couldn't play catch up as they were downed in their first matchup.

However, they made that all back in the second game when they Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving put the team on their backs scoring 55 of their 96 points. The Mavericks also held the Clippers to just 37% shooting from the floor and 27% from 3-point range. It's up to the Mavericks to continue to play stifling defense like they have been coming into the playoffs for them to take game three on their home court.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS VS. DALLAS MAVERICKS FANDUEL ODDS FOR ARR. 26

MONEY LINE

• LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: +160
• DALLAS MAVERICKS: -190

SPREAD

• LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: +4.5 (-110)
• DALLAS MAVERICKS: -4.5 (-110)

OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)

• OVER 210.5 (-112)
• UNDER 210.5 (-108)

BEST ODDS FOR LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS VS. DALLAS MAVERICKS

• The Dallas Mavericks are -4.5-point favorites against the Los Angeles Clippers. FanDuel currently has the best odds at -4.5 (-110)
• The Los Angeles Clippers are the underdogs by 4.5 points to cover the spread. FanDuel currently has the best odds at +4.5 (-110)
• BetRivers currently has the best odds for the total, which is set at 210.5 (-110) for the over, and (-110) for the under

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS VS. DALLAS MAVERICKS INJURY REPORT

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS INJURY REPORT

• NONE

DALLAS MAVERICKS INJURY REPORT

• DANIEL GAFFORD - QUES FRI - BACK
• TIM HARDAWAY JR. - QUES FRI - ANKLE
• GREG BROWN III - OUT - PERSONAL

WHY LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS WILL COVER THE SPREAD

The Los Angeles Clippers looked like they were poised to make a run in this Western Conference after a big game one win but that came crashing down after a very disappointing performance in game two.

The Clippers looked like they going to take a step forward once Kwahi Leonard was back in the lineup but it looked like his presence hurt this Clippers lineup which ultimately led to their demise in game two.

Now, the Clippers will have to head to Dallas with the series tied 1-1 as Kawhi Leonard and this Los Angeles Clippers team must battle the high-tempo Mavericks on their home court.

Expect a better game out of Leonard this time around, his time back with the team and his practice will do him wonders in returning to form because another 15-point effort from him in this game will be inexcusable.

With Kawahi Leonard coming back to full strength to go along with this stacked Clippers squad with Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook they can certainly make this a tough first game at home for the Mavericks as they look to lead the series 2-1 and cover the spread.

WHY DALLAS MAVERICKS WILL COVER THE SPREAD

The Dallas Mavericks were a bit rusty at the beginning of game one against the Clippers but settled in after the first half. In that second half, the Mavericks attempted to make a comeback but they were too far gone ultimately dropping the first game of the series.

However, in game two the Mavericks came out like a completely different team and a team that was on a mission as they came away with the 3-point victory.

The Mavericks are finally looking like the team that many believed would be coming into the NBA playoffs. The combination of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving was firing on all cylinders in both games to start the playoffs but it was their defensive tenacity in game two that was the difference maker.

They were able to hold this very talented Clippers team in check offensively as they shot just 37% from the floor and 27% from 3-point range.

While Doncic and Irving will consistently play their hearts in this series, it's up to the rest of this Mavericks team to step up. Hopefully, they will get more from Hardaway Jr. barring his health and PJ Washington showed up in their game two win with 18 points. isn't playing up to his All-Star caliber he is still a lethal facilitator and scorer on the court.

If the Mavericks can keep this defensive intensity and get some more help from their supporting cast outside Doncic and Irving they can take game three at home putting the pressure on the Clippers in game four.

FINAL CLIPPERS-MAVERICKS PICK & PREDICTION

Expect this third game of the series to be different than the first two. Both teams should be relatively healthy and we can expect a higher scoring output from both teams. It's not every day that we see both the Clippers and Mavericks stay under 100 points and that will not happen here in game three.

This game will be close until the very end and the books are giving the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and company 4.5 points, and even on the road, it's hard to pass up on those points.

While Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving should play out of their minds, it's best to take the Clippers with the points to at least keep it a close game throughout with the potential to steal a victory on the road..

FINAL CLIPPERS-MAVERICKS PICK & PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS +4.5 (-110)

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