The Los Angeles Clippers head to the Lone Star State to take on the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of this best-of-seven series. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Clippers-Mavericks prediction and pick.

Dallas stole home court advantage from the Clippers as they went into Staples Center and took the first two games of this series. The Mavericks have won the first two by a combined 16 points in a shocking turn of events. Los Angeles will now be tasked with returning the favor in Dallas if they'd like to make this a series.

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Clippers-Mavericks odds.

NBA Odds: Clippers-Mavericks Odds

Los Angeles Clippers -2.5 (-113)

Dallas Mavericks +2.5 (-107)

Over 219.5 Points (-110)

Under 219.5 Points (-110)

Why The Clippers Could Cover The Spread

The Los Angeles Clippers have had an extremely disappointing start to their postseason run. The Clippers have championship aspirations after blowing a 3-1 lead over the Nuggets in the second round of last year's playoffs. They knocked the Mavs out in the first round of the 2020 postseason and seemed to be a lock to replicate that result in this series. Los Angeles has run into a hot Dallas team led by Luka Doncic that has shown in the first two games that they are no pushover. With their backs against the wall, it'll be up to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to dig their team out of this rut.

Leonard put together a brilliant performance in Game 2 with 41 points on 14 of 21 shooting from the field. This is an extremely promising sign for the Clippers after Leonard's inefficient shooting night in Game 1 of this series. Kawhi put up 30 points in the first half and will look to close out better in Game 3 to secure the crucial victory for his club. He will need some more help from his co-star, Paul George. George delivered 28 points in Game 2 but shot just one of seven from beyond the arc. Leonard and George will have to be very efficient in Game 3 to outlast Luka and the scorching hot Mavs.

Why The Mavericks Could Cover The Spread

The Dallas Mavericks couldn't have drawn up a better start to this series against the Clippers. Luka Doncic has been the best player on the floor the first two games. Doncic opened the series with a monster triple-double performance and followed it up with a 39-point outing to lead his club to a 2-0 lead as the series heads to Dallas. Luka hit five three ball's in Game 2 and has been very efficient from the field against one of the most efficient shooting teams in the history of the league.

Dallas will be the first to tell you that they may not have as much talent as the Clippers on paper, but they are certainly the more cohesive unit thus far. Doncic is creating open looks for his running mates and they are hitting their shots at a high clip. Tim Hardaway Jr. is playing great basketball right now as he dropped 28 points on six made three's in Game 2. Kristaps Porzingis looked better in the second game and will look to build on a 20-point performance. The Mavericks are clicking on offense and if they can tighten a few holes on the defensive end, they will be in the driver's seat heading into the second round.

Final Clippers-Mavericks Prediction & Pick

The Los Angeles Clippers have to be nervous with their backs against the wall heading into Game 3. This club has two of the best players in the league and a roster full of efficient perimeter shooting. They are a much more defensively sound team than the Mavericks, which won't do much if you're not hitting shots yourself. Los Angeles did improve their shooting in Game 2 and will have to build on that performance yet again in Game 3. Dallas has shot the ball extremely well from deep, which may not be sustainable against an elite defensive club. As for the Clippers – Mavericks prediction, Los Angeles will bounce back in Game 3 with a huge offensive performance.

FINAL PICK: Los Angeles Clippers -2.5 (-113)