Dallas Mavericks vs LA Clippers Preseason Game Prediction and Preview | Oct. 14, 2024

The LA Clippers host the Dallas Mavericks on Monday for their first preseason matchup at their newly opened $2 billion Intuit Dome. The exhibition outing marks LA's fourth of five, while Dallas is set to play in the third contest of its four-game preseason slate.

The Clippers and Mavericks are both dealing with key injuries ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season. LA remains without superstar forward Kawhi Leonard, who continues ramping up slowly following an offseason right knee procedure. The oft-injured two-time NBA champion has reportedly yet to participate in five-on-five scrimmages.

Meanwhile, Dallas superstar guard Luka Doncic has been sidelined due to a left calf injury to begin the preseason. While the five-time All-Star reportedly participated in a non-contact practice on Saturday, he is expected to remain out against LA. However, he purportedly isn't in jeopardy of missing regular-season action.

Despite their 0-2 preseason record, the Mavericks are projected to be among the Western Conference's top contenders this year. Coming off a 2024 NBA Finals appearance, the franchise fortified its roster around Doncic and star guard Kyrie Irving over the offseason. That includes landing veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson in free agency.

Conversely, the Clippers (2-1 in preseason) are expected to finish toward the West's lower midtier. On top of Leonard's extensive injury history, the organization is still coping with star wing Paul George's departure to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.

So, the James Harden-centric squad could struggle to make the postseason during its first season at the Intuit Dome.

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Dallas Mavericks vs. LA Clippers odds, preview and prediction

The Dallas Mavericks and LA Clippers' preseason clash is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET on Monday at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The contest will be broadcast nationally on NBA TV and locally on KTLA, as well as via radio on 97.1 FM / S: 99.1 FM. It can also be streamed on NBA League Pass and FuboTV.

Moneyline: Mavericks (+110) vs. Clippers (-130)

Spread: Mavericks +2.0 (-110) vs. Clippers -2.0 (-110)

Total (Over/Under): o216.5 (-110) vs. u216.5 (-110)

Editor's note: The odds could change closer to tip-off, as the odds listed were based on available information at the time of writing.

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Dallas Mavericks vs. LA Clippers preview

With Leonard and Doncic each sidelined, LA and Dallas enter Monday's showdown fairly evenly matched. Both squads feature elite guard talent (Harden and Irving) surrounded by veteran role players and young prospects. Moreover, both teams have received well-rounded preseason production thus far.

The Clippers have surrounded Harden with wing Terance Mann for complementary scoring and veteran forward Derrick Jones Jr. for defense. Meanwhile, center Ivica Zubac is manning the interior as a nightly double-double threat. However, with wing Norman Powell's (back) status uncertain, the team is relying on young players like Kevin Porter Jr. and Jordan Miller for bench production.

As for the Mavericks, they deployed Irving alongside Thompson's shooting and veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie's playmaking last game. Meanwhile, sophomore center Dereck Lively II provided rebounding and rim protection.

However, Dallas is light at the forward positions, with power forward P.J. Washington (hip) still day to day. Thus, the team appears to be experimenting with its rotation, giving young players like sophomore forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper additional minutes.

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Dallas Mavericks vs. LA Clippers predicted starting lineups

With Doncic (calf) out and Washington (hip) questionable for Monday's contest, the Mavericks' starting unit could be as follows:

PG: Spencer Dinwiddie SG: Kyrie Irving SF: Klay Thompson PF: P.J. Washington (DTD)/Olivier-Maxence Prosper C: Dereck Lively II

Meanwhile, with Leonard (knee) sidelined and Powell (back) questionable, the Clippers could deploy the following starting five:

PG: James Harden SG: Terance Mann SF: Norman Powell (DTD)/ Amir Coffey PF: Derrick Jones Jr. C: Ivica Zubac

Editor's note: These are projected starting lineups and could change as players' availabilities are updated closer to game time.

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Dallas Mavericks vs. LA Clippers prediction

While LA and Dallas appear evenly matched, the Clippers will likely feed off their energized home crowd in their first game at their new arena. So, they should secure their third consecutive victory while covering the spread (-2.0).

However, with both teams shorthanded offensively, they appear unlikely to surpass their 216.5 over/under point total.

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