SportSpyder - The Latest Dallas Mavericks News

26 April 2024

• [Hoops Rumors] - Southwest Notes: Ryan, Morant, Grizzlies, Gafford, Mavs
  When the Pelicans converted Matt Ryan from his two-way deal to a standard contract on the day before their regular season finale, they used their mid-level exception to sign him to a three-year deal that paid him $1.5MM in guaranteed money for the final two days of this season, tweets Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. In […]
• [CBS Sports] - Mavericks vs. Clippers schedule: Where to watch Game 3, start time, prediction, odds, TV, live stream online
  Can Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, replicate success from Game 2?
• [Fan Nation] - Luka Doncic's Defense Praised by Dallas Mavericks After Playoff Win vs. Clippers
  Teammates laud Luka Doncic's vital defensive role in the Dallas Mavericks' 96-93 Game 2 victory over the LA Clippers.
• [ClutchPoints] - Mavericks’ crucial X-factor for ‘must-win’ Game 3 vs. Clippers
  DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers will go head-to-head on Friday night at the American Airlines Center. Game 3 projects to be a competitive affair with the series currently even at one game apiece. Mavericks forward PJ Washington referred to Game 3 as a “must-win” for Dallas. “It’s a must-win,” Washington said […] The post appeared first on .
• [Give Me Sport] - Mavericks Derrick Jones on Guarding Clippers Stars: I Fear No Man
  Dallas Mavericks Derrick Jones Jr. is not backing down when it comes to defending the Los Angeles Clippers' star trio
• [Fansided: The Smoking Cuban] - Mavericks NBA Championship odds surge after huge Game 2 win over Clippers
  With their backs against the wall, the Dallas Mavericks got 32 points from Luka Doncic on Tuesday to avoid the dreaded 2-0 hole in their first-round playoff ser
• [Fan Nation] - Derrick Jones Jr., Dallas Mavericks Embrace Guarding Clippers Superstars: 'I Fear No Man'
  Dallas Mavericks' Derrick Jones Jr. embraces guarding LA Clippers' stars like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Harden, and Russell Westbrook in the NBA playoffs.
• [Fan Nation] - Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving Step Up Defense Against Clippers
  Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving lead Dallas Mavericks to a crucial Game 2 victory over LA Clippers by embracing defensive roles.
• [CBS Sports] - Mavericks vs. Clippers: Where to watch Game 3, start time, prediction, odds, TV channel, live stream online
  Can Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, replicate success from Game 2?
• [The Score] - Will the Suns turn the series around at home?
  Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.The first round of the NBA players has had everything fans could want, including chaotic finishes, buzzer-beaters, high intensity, and simmering tension.There are another three Game 3s on Friday. Here are our four best bets for the action.Timberwolves @ Suns (-4.5, O/U 207.5)It's a trendy pick to take the team down 2-0 when it returns home if the two squads are evenly matched. The Sixers and Magic covered their spread at home after trailing 2-0 in the series. The Lakers didn't, but the Nuggets are far superior and that series was over before it started given how Denver has dominated Los Angeles in recent history.Friday's contest between the Timberwolves and Suns will follow the trend, as the desperate Suns earn a win at home. Role players typically perform better at home in the playoffs, and the T-Wolves' role players carried them to a Game 2 win. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker have been average through two games. Minnesota's defensive presence has contributed to that, but there will be more urgency from those two stars Friday.Phoenix lacks depth and Grayson Allen is questionable for Friday's game, but the Suns' stars will carry it across the finish line.Pick: Suns -4.5Pascal Siakam: Under 27.5 pointsSiakam has been unstoppable for the Pacers. He's second in playoff points, averaging 36.5 through two games. He's exposed the Bucks' leaky defense without Giannis Antetokounmpo and dominated matchups against the slow-footed Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, and Khris Middleton.But don't expect this sustained production. The Bucks will adjust defensively by sending double teams and being more physical with the slender Siakam.Milwaukee has limited Tyrese Haliburton but can't win the series if it lets Siakam's scoring splurge continue. Siakam will take a step back in Game 3 with added defensive pressure.Odds: -115Daniel Gafford: Under 6.5 pointsThis isn't Gafford's series. He's been a stellar midseason addition to the Mavericks, but sometimes certain playoff matchups dictate a player's postseason minutes.The Mavs have been remarkably worse with Gafford on the floor. Dallas is getting outscored by 29.3 points per 100 possessions with Gafford on the court in the playoffs but is outscoring opponents by 2.8 points per 100 possessions when he's on the bench. He can't play in this series, which has led to a reduction in minutes. Gafford played just 14 minutes in Game 1 and nine minutes in Game 2. He's recorded three total points through two contests.The Mavs' best lineup against the Clippers is a small lineup with Maxi Kleber at center. Fewer minutes for Gafford means fewer scoring opportunities.Odds: -130Clippers @ Mavericks (-4.5, O/U 212.5)The Mavs had the NBA's best defensive rating over the final 15 regular-season games. That defensive intensity has carried over to the playoffs, as they held the Clippers to 93 points in Game 2.But the Clippers were reintegrating Kawhi Leonard into the lineup, which seemingly messed up his and his teammates' rhythm. The Clippers' offense should regain form in Leonard's second game back.L.A.'s defense, which struggled down the season's stretch, has also restricted the Mavs by consistently doubling Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and forcing Dallas' supporting cast to make shots.Doncic has been unusually inefficient and is missing shots he typically makes. I wouldn't expect that to last, especially as the Mavs return home.With the Clippers at full health and Doncic's shotmaking potentially opening up Dallas' offense, Game 3 could feature an offensive explosion after two defense-oriented matchups.Pick: Over 212.5Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.