online sports betting players have to consider the schedule when wagering on the NBA this season, because teams are playing some insane stretches of basketball. The Los Angeles Clippers are without their star point guard and will end a run of three games in three days on Wednesday against Dallas, who should be a little more rested than the Clippers, rested enough to claim the win.
What: NBA Betting
When: Wednesday, January 18th, 10:30 PM ET
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Pick: Dallas Mavericks
Why Bet On Dallas Mavericks (8-6 SU, 10-4 ATS)
This is the second of a four-game road trip for the Mavericks, and it opened on Monday with a 73-70 loss to the Lakers, which snapped a five-game winning streak. It was simply a poor shooting game for the Mavericks, who hit 35% of their field-goal attempts while going 4-of-26 from the foul line, and only two players reached double figures in scoring; Dirk Nowitzki with 21 points (along with seven boards), and Lamar Odom, who scored 10 points in 24 minutes in his return to Los Angeles after a messy split from the Lakers in the offseason. This was only Odom’s second double-digit game as a Maverick as he is still getting used to being in Dallas after seven years and two championships as a Laker (he also spent his first four years with the Clippers, so Odom is very familiar with the Staples Center). The Mavericks need Odom to provide a spark off the bench if they’re going to defend their NBA title.
It was also the second game back from injury for Jason Kidd, the 38-year-old who just keeps on ticking, but the Mavericks would like to keep his minutes down in this congested season. Swingman Vince Carter (foot) may not be available for this game after hurting himself against the Lakers, which means a few more minutes for Delonte West. Right now, the Mavericks’ main problem is scoring (21st in points scored) and that’s why they need Odom to pick up his game more consistently.
Why Bet On Los Angeles Clippers (7-3 SU, 6-4 ATS)
On Monday, the Clippers raced out to a 32-17 first-quarter lead and never looked back in a 101-91 win at home over New Jersey, and they did it without Chris Paul (more on that in a minute). However, Chauncey Billups showed why he is going to be such an integral part of the Clippers this season as the veteran stepped up with 20 points, including nine in a fourth-quarter run to wrap up the game, while the Clippers also got 23 points and 14 boards from Blake Griffin. The Clippers had a 46-35 edge on the glass, including 15-9 on the offensive end, and they also outscored the Nets 46-26 in the paint as they ran wild with Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, who had 12 points, nine boards and four swats. This helped the Clippers overcome a miserable 19-of-35 day at the charity stripe and Griffin was the main culprit, going 5-of-13. The Clippers simply overpowered the Nets with their play in the post, although they still managed to get out and run without Paul.
Paul (hamstring) was injured late in a win on Saturday over the Lakers, and there is no timetable for his return, although Paul will travel with the team to Utah on Tuesday. Yes, facing the Mavericks will be the third game in three days for the Clippers, and the Paul injury highlights how dangerous this schedule will be this season. It’s a good thing that the Clippers have Billups, who has been starting alongside Paul, but he has proven to be a point guard who can help a team to the championship and his versatility will be a major factor in the Clippers’ NBA betting chances this season.
How It Will Play Out
Los Angeles should be the NBA betting favorites in this Western Conference bout, although they may not be heavy favorites as they’re playing for the third straight game, while the Mavericks had Tuesday off. Dallas has also won five in a row over the Clippers at the Staples Center, covering the spread on four occasions, and they’re a solid 4-2 ATS on the road this season, while the Clippers are 5-2 ATS at home.
The Mavericks should have an edge here because though the Clippers are a relatively young team, playing three games in three nights is a lot to ask and Dallas should be slightly fresher than their counterparts from Los Angeles. The Mavericks will also be eager to put Monday’s poor shooting performance behind them and for all of their athleticism, the Clippers are 22nd in the league in points allowed. Go with Dallas on the road in your Wednesday sports betting picks.
Mavericks Clippers Betting Pick: Dallas Mavericks