The Clippers led 86-84 with 7:42 remaining before the Nets took control. ”We didn’t play the right way offensively tonight,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said after the Brooklyn game. ”We talked about them really protecting the paint and we get into the paint, making the right play and kicking it out for 3s. Defensively, we double-teamed Durant and he made the right play. Their guys made shots.” They gave up 18 points off 18 turnovers. The Clippers fell to 5-5 without star Kawhi Leonard, who has not played since the third game of the season with what is being labeled right knee injury management. He is expected back soon, but consider him questionable for this game against Dallas.

Luka Doncic had 42 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his third triple-double of the season as the Dallas Mavericks paced the Portland Trail Blazers 117-112 at home three nights ago. Christian Wood scored 19 points off the bench after missing Dallas’ previous two games with a knee sprain and Spencer Dinwiddie chipped in 20, including two huge threes late. Doncic surpassed 30 or more points for the 10th time in 12 games after being held in the 20s in Dallas’ previous two games, losses at Orlando and Washington. ”He had 42, a triple-double – I mean, it’s just a little walk in the park,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said of his 23-year-old superstar.

Although they came out with a win, they did blow a big second-quarter lead and trailed midway through the fourth. They dominated the paint with Christian Wood back in the lineup, outscoring the Blazers 48-36. They are averaging 110 points per game through the first month, good for 20th in the NBA. They are 7-5, but it feels like they are a much better team than their record indicates. Luka has been a force to be reckoned with.

Luka Doncic had 42 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his third triple-double of the season as the Mavericks outlasted the Blazers in their last game. They dominated the paint with Christian Wood back in the lineup, outscoring the Blazers 48-36. He is a key piece for a Dallas team that has high hopes this season in a super-competitive Western Conference. Dallas is only averaging 110 points per game, but they have been strong on the defensive end. Entering this matchup with the Clippers, they are holding teams to 106 points per game. Considering Los Angeles is on the second leg of a back-to-back here, this is a good spot to jump on the Mavericks at a good price. Ignore the spread and run with them to win the game outright at home.

One of the reasons why Dallas averages such a low total, 110 points per game, is their pace of play. Entering this game they are last in pace, with Luka manipulating the half-court set like a chess grandmaster. Without Leonard in the lineup and John Wall missing half his games with injury management issues, the Clippers are 19th in pace of play. Coupled with the fact Los Angeles is on the second leg of a back-to-back, this will be a slow-paced game dominated by Doncic controlling the tempo. Dallas is top 10 in defensive rating, and these clubs match up well against one another defensively, resulting in a rugged, grind of a game. Take the under with confidence here.