LA Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks Picks and Prediction for Saturday, March 21 2026
Use Code WWWC We've got a Western Conference matchup on Saturday between a potential playoff team in the LA Clippers and possibly a future contender in Dallas in this Clippers vs. Mavs prediction. The Clippers are in eighth place in the Western Conference, tied with Portland. .Dallas is just about out of it, ranking 13th at 11.5 games behind 10th-place Golden State. These two teams met earlier in November, with the Clippers winning on the road in overtime and the Mavs winning by four on the road as a 9.0-point dog. More basketball games and free NBA picks can be found at Winners and Whiners.
Clippers are not on the right track
Los Angeles has lost four straight games, three of which came to woefully bad teams (Kings, Pelicans twice). The main problem for the Clippers right now is injuries, as Kawhi Leonard (ankle) missed the New Orleans game on March 19, after playing on March 18 against the Pels and scoring 25 points. On Thursday, former Mavs forward Derrick Jones Jr. led the way with 22 points in the Clippers' 105-99 loss. There was no Leonard, Bennedict Mathurin or Darius Garland; the latter two have toe injuries. The good news is that Garland should play and has been sensational, averaging 21.3 points and 7.0 assists over his last six games.
The bad news is that Mathurin, who was acquired from Indiana in the Ivica Zubac deal, is out. The talented 23-year-old forward is averaging 19.9 points per game and 5.9 rebounds, while shooting 43.3% from the field for the Clippers (18.3% 3pt). Leonard, who is listed as questionable. is having a great season with 28.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in 54 games. According to DunksandThrees.com, the Clippers are ranked 18th overall in Adjusted Net Rating, 12th in Adjusted Offensive Rating and 19th in Adjusted Defense.
Mavs continue to slide
Dallas started the season off with Anthony Davis playing with rookie Cooper Flagg. Somebody was missing, and that was point guard Kyrie Irving (ACL). Without Irving, head coach Jason Kidd tried to move Flagg to point guard early on, and that move had mixed results. After multiple injuries to Davis and then an eventual trade to Washington. The Mavs received some draft capital for Davis, including a late first-round pick via Oklahoma City in this year's draft.
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On the court, Dallas has been a disaster, losing 11 of their last 13 games. In their last game, they fell to red-hot Atlanta at home 135-120. Daniel Gafford scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench, while P.J. Washington chipped in with 23 points and nine boards. Flagg, who has been dealing with an ankle injury, scored 17 points, grabbed six boards and added five assists, but also had six turnovers, while missing all three of his 3-point attempts. Flagg still leads the Mavs with 20.1 points, adding 4.5 assists, 6.6 rebounds, while shooting 47% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. According to DunksandThrees, the Mavericks are 24th in Adjusted Net Rating, 27th in Adjusted Offense, and 17th in Adjusted Defense.
Spread Pick for Clippers vs. Mavs
Clippers vs. Mavs Picks and Prediction
- LA Clippers -7.5 (4 units)
It appears that Leonard will play in this game and is not playing both ends of back-to-back games. Garland should also be back, giving them an outstanding backcourt. Flagg doesn't have much help on a team with a lot of players in the last year of a contract or just hanging on in the NBA. If they can make the playoffs with Garland, Leonard, Mathurin, with Brook Lopez, Jones Jr., John Collins and Nicolas Batum, that could be a dangerous team early in the playoffs. They rank fourth in the NBA in field goal percentage (48.3%), while the Mavs rank 21st in field goal defense (47.4%). Dallas is playing for next season and will have to improve their team via free agency.
Over/Under Pick for Clippers vs. Mavs
- Under 232.5 (5 units)
Leonard is likely playing, which is good for the defensive side. The Clippers are also very methodical, ranking 28th in pace of play. Los Angeles has gone under in five straight games. Dallas has gone under in nine of their last 12 games. Despite their injury issues and sorts of moving parts due to trades, Dallas ranks first in the NBA in three-point defense (34.3%).
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