Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard reacts after making a shot in the closing seconds against the Houston Rockets during an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 122-119.  Michael Owen Baker | Associated Press
NBA

NBA Tuesday: Greg Frank picks Clippers vs Mavericks — Can Kawhi Leonard and Paul George slow down the Dallas juggernaut?

Greg Frank

0-2 Monday, 33-28-1 overall.

Clippers (-1.5) @ Mavericks (227)

Pick: Under 227

The Dallas Mavericks have been an offensive juggernaut so far in 2019-2020. They enter Tuesday’s game third in the NBA in scoring at 119.1 points per game and tallied 137, 143 and 142 points in their last three contests. We’re here to tell you the Mavericks slow down offensively in a big way tonight against the Clippers. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, two of the Association’s best wing defenders, have played three games together so far with Los Angeles. Opponents are averaging 110 points in those three games against the Clippers. For the season, Clippers opponents are averaging 107 points per game putting them in the top half of the league in scoring defense. The large majority of teams in the top half of the NBA in scoring defense are contenders which should come as no surprise. Defense is often what separates good from great at any level of basketball and is likely going to be a calling card for the Clippers all season long. Dallas has not been a bad defensive team in its own right, so this isn’t to say that taking Dallas here means you have to take the over and vice versa with Los Angeles and the under. Our point is simply that good teams and good defense go hand in hand. We have two good teams squaring off tonight in Dallas and this feels like the perfect spot for the Mavericks to be forced into some more challenging shots.

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