Mavericks vs. Clippers: The best player prop bets for Game 5

The Los Angeles Clippers dug themselves a deep hole and now appear to be successfully climbing out of it. After looking listless in opening home game losses to go down 0-2 in the series, the Clippers traveled to Dallas and steamrolled the Mavericks to even their series at two games apiece.

In the opening games, L.A.'s inability to guard Luka Doncic was alarming, but the two-time All-Star hasn't been himself since suffering a neck strain, as evidenced by his 9-24 shooting performance in a 25-point Game 4 loss.

With Game 5 heading back to Los Angeles tonight, here are three player props to look for.

Kawhi Leonard Points Over/Under 30.5 points

Kawhi Leonard is an unstoppable force in this series. He is able to get to his spot on the floor for his mid-range jumper with little trouble, and still has all the athleticism needed to flush home dunks in transition or in the half court if he gets a step on his defender.

In the series, Leonard is averaging 33.0 points per game, and is hitting an astounding 62.7% of his field goal attempts and 47.6% of his 3-point attempts. He desperately wants to take the Clippers past the first-round, and when scoring is coming this easily for him, there is no reason to think anyone can stop him.

Pick: Over 30.5 points (+100)

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Ivica Zubac Over/Under 8.5 points

Ivica Zubac saw his minutes and usage drop when the series went to Dallas, and while he certainly can’t be blamed for the team’s failures in the opening two games, it seems head coach Tyronn Lue is opting for more minutes out of his athletic forwards rather than his lumbering center. 

Zubac has scored just 17 points through four games, and is unlikely to have any plays called for him tonight. Expect Zubac to again spend more time on the bench than the court, and for this low point total to still safely go Under.

Pick: Under 8.5 points (-113)

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Luka Doncic Over/Under 28.5 points

This seems like a obvious play, but have you ever tried to play basketball with a neck strain? I can’t even drink my coffee with a kink in my neck, so I can only imagine how hard it must be to get a bouncing ball into a small circle against some of the best perimeter defenders in the world.

Doncic gritted things out in Game 4, and while he still led the team in scoring, it would be foolish of Rick Carlisle to use him to the same extent he typically does. Kristaps Porzingis played well in Game 4, so the Mavs would be wise to use Doncic more as a decoy and cross-court shooter, and give guard Jalen Brunson some additional opportunity to run the offense instead.

Pick: Under 28.5 points (-113)