The Clippers playoff series kicks against the Mavericks off tonight, so we got the 213 Hoops staff together to give their thoughts and predictions on the series.

Lucas Hann: Clippers in 4

Not that I’d be shocked if the Mavs picked up a game–and their offense is certainly good enough to do so–but I think the problem that the Paul George/Kawhi Leonard pairing poses for the Mavs on both ends of the floor (after Dorian Finney-Smith, these guys will be guarded by the likes of Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Maxi Kleber), plus the Clippers’ motivation to get out of the series early and healthy to be rested going forward, means they’ll put this one away.

Adam Horowitz: Clippers in 6

If the season had kept cruising along back in March and ended with this first-round matchup on the slate, I would’ve predicted a sweep. But thanks to the discombubbulation (see what I did there?) of the Clippers’ restart, I think they’re likely to drop a couple of games. Both Bev and Trez will have to play their way back into game shape in the playoffs, they haven’t had a single game with their likely playoff rotation intact to get into any kind of sync, and their defense has been subpar (to put it charitably) in the seeding games. Thankfully, they still have the most individual talent of any team in the league, and that should be enough to carry them into the second round.

Erik Olsgaard: Clippers in 6

Outside of Houston, Dallas takes the most 3-point attempts and fewest 2-point attempts of any team in the league, and they’re efficient in both areas (10th best 3P% and 4th best 2P%). But the Clippers defend well both beyond the arc (5th lowest opponent 3P%) and inside of it (2nd lowest opponent 2P%). So, while I don’t want to underestimate the best offense in NBA history, I think the Clippers are built to defend them well and should slow them down. The same can’t be said for Dallas’ mediocre defense that’s pedestrian in every meaningful area and might struggle against the Clippers’ now 2nd ranked offense. The Mavs will put up a fight, but the steady Clippers will come out on top.

Shapan Debnath: Clippers in 5

Luka’s brilliance may net the Mavericks a game, but otherwise the Clippers just have too many bodies to slow him down, and he’s the straw that stirs the drink for the Mavs. Kristaps Porzingis will be an interesting cover for the Clippers’ big men, but the Mavericks just don’t have the horses after that.

Thomas Wood: Clippers in 5

I’ve come around to the idea that the Mavericks’ unsightly record in close contests is not some product of random variance and bad fortune that betrays a sterling point differential, but rather a fundamental bug in their preferred system, namely, make Luka Doncic do (almost) everything. They work Luka too damn hard. And the Clippers have defended him with a carnivorous physicality. Luka will get his numbers, and every game may be close, but I think the Clippers will take this playoff series against the Mavericks in relatively short order.

Sanjesh Singh: Clippers in 5

The Clippers possess superior depth compared to the Mavericks and that was on display in their seeding matchup earlier this month. Much of it had to do with Ivica Zubac and JaMychal Green going a combined 14-14 from the field, but the advantage still lies with L.A. despite some key players not available yet. Dallas needs Kristaps Porzingis to come up big, but can he do enough to win four games? I doubt it, so I’ll be a little bold here: Clippers in 5.

Joey Linn: Clippers in 5

As someone who has been vocal about how favorable this matchup is for LAC, I would like to predict a sweep, but giving Dallas one game is more realistic. The Clippers are bound to go cold one night – couple that with the offensive proficiency from Dallas, and they could get a game. With that being said, the Clippers have an abundance of weapons to slow down Luka, and with Dallas having no weapons to even bother Kawhi or PG, I see the Clippers making quick work of the Mavericks in this playoff series.

Steve Perrin: Clippers in 6

It’s very strange predicting a series where all the games are on a neutral court. I usually just pick who I think is going to win, and a game where they’re home. Road team in 6. Home team in 5. That sort of thing. Clippers will win this series; they won’t sweep it. Let’s say Clippers in 6. They’re clearly the better team, but getting Trez reintegrated may come at the expense of some efficiency. 

Cole Huff: Clippers in 5

I’ve got the Clippers in 5. I can see the games playing out much like they did during the 3 regular season games in that they will all likely be competitive throughout, but I think the Mavs will continue to struggle with closing out games. Luka is brilliant and he’ll get his numbers. However, I think the key is to minimize Porzingis from the perimeter, where he has been scorching as of late. Ultimately, it’s going to come down to which team can slow the other’s offense more, and I don’t see the Maverick being able to stop the Clippers from scoring, leaving them at the disadvantage in a playoff series.

Kenneth Armstrong: Clippers in 5

The Clippers are still a little injured, with Beverly and Shamet both coming into the playoffs “questionable.” The Clippers, however, are the much better team and have had great success against the Mavs this season. Save for those injuries (and Harrell being a question mark in a different way), I would have had the Clippers in a sweep.

Robert Flom: Clippers in 5

I’ve been a bit torn on this one. The Clippers match up excellently with the Mavs due to their abundance of defensive options on Luka Doncic, and the Mavs’ own lack of defenders to throw at Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. On the other hand, while Cole made a great piece about how rest is important in his article yesterday, I do think the Clippers lack of rhythm and integration with key pieces such as Montrezl Harrell will throw them off. Combine that with the brilliance of Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle and I think this has the potential to be a tighter series than expected. Nonetheless, the Clippers are the deeper and more talented team, and if Pat Beverley is healthy, I expect them to take it in 5. If not, I think it stretches to 6.

Well, that wraps up the staff predictions for this Clippers Mavericks playoff series. Check out the game preview, Lucas’ look at the entire series, and our podcast with Mavs’ beat writer Tim Cato breaking the series down.

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