LA Clippers: Predicting the Results of the December Games

LA Clippers Game 3: Mavericks, 1-5 point win

Another rematch from last year’s playoffs, and I expect this game to be significantly closer than the Nuggets game. The Clippers don’t have the emotional edge against Dallas that they do the Nuggets, but the Mavericks will certainly have a chip on their shoulder.

After pushing the Clippers to 6 despite losing Porzingis, the Mavs have to feel like they can go toe-to-toe with LA, and with Luka Doncic playing for Dallas, they might just be right.

The problem for them is that Porzingis still won’t be playing, so the burden of carrying the offense is going to be squarely on Luka’s shoulders. And that’s a burden he’s more than capable of carrying, but the Clippers will at least be able to make him work for it with Kawhi, PG, Bev and Batum.

And when the Clippers have the ball, the problem comes back to how the Mavericks can defend all the threats LA has. When the Clippers field several players who can create their own shot, and put them next to guys like Bev and Ibaka who are deadly in the catch-and-shoot game, it’s going to be hard for Dallas to effectively defend everyone.

When the teams play again in the second half of the season, and Dallas will have a Kristaps to also throw at LA? I’d have a hard time picking the winner of that one. But without Porzingis, and with the Clippers likely having their full roster, I’m taking LA in a nail-biter.

December record: 2-1