Mavericks vs Clippers Picks and Prediction – 4/5/2025

Dallas enters this Western Conference battle at 38-39, sitting ninth in the West and barely clinging to a play-in spot. The Mavericks snapped a two-game skid with a narrow 120-118 win over Atlanta. The Clippers come in at 44-32, good for seventh in the standings, and they’ve won back-to-back games, including a convincing 114-98 victory over New Orleans last time out. Score big in the NBA with our insider NBA picks.

The Mavericks have gone 5-5 in the last ten and are just 17-22 on the road. Recent games have shown how much they rely on star output to stay competitive, with Kyrie Irving leading the way at 24.7 points per game while shooting 47.3% from the field and 91.6% at the line. But Irving is sidelined for the remainder of the season, along with Dante Exum and P.J. Washington, which puts pressure on recent acquisition Anthony Davis to carry the load. Offensively, the team averages 114.9 points while shooting 47.9% from the field with 25.3 assists per game.

Defensively, Dallas allows too many points — especially on the road — and rebounding has been just average at 43.1 per game. The defense does notch 7.8 steals and 5.4 blocks per contest, but without depth, the Mavs are vulnerable. This version of Dallas doesn’t have enough defensive stops, especially facing a Clippers team that’s playing great basketball down the stretch.

Los Angeles has gone 8-2 in the last ten games, including four wins in five. James Harden has been steady with 22.5 points per game, although shooting just 40.1%. The Clippers have been able to lean on balanced scoring and timely defense. The Clippers’ home record of 26-11 shows how well they perform in Inglewood, and the chemistry is clicking with the postseason around the corner.

The Clippers average 112.2 points, shoot 47.8% from the field, and dish 25 assists per game. Rebounding is slightly better than Dallas at 43.8, and the defense brings more pressure with 9.4 steals. The injury report lists a few bench players like Amir Coffey and Jordan Miller, but none of the top contributors are out. The Clippers have the depth, defensive edge, and home-court advantage that should make the difference here.

Without Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks are too one-dimensional, especially facing a red-hot Clippers team that’s 8-2 over the last ten and strong at home. The Clippers hold the edge in steals, rebounding, and depth, and Harden’s steady play should be enough to secure the win. Final Score Prediction: LA Clippers win and cover 117-110.