The NBA betting action goes on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, with 11 games around the league, including this Western Conference showdown at American Airlines Center in Dallas, so we bring you the best Clippers vs. Jazz betting pick along with the latest odds update on Bookmaker Sportsbook. 

This is the first meeting of the season between these teams, as Dallas has won the last two contests, both back in April. Los Angeles may be without star forward Anthony Davis who is listed as questionable for this game. Lebron James is listed as probable. For Dallas, MVP candidate Luka Doncic is listed as questionable.

Lakers Head to Road Looking to Build Momentum

The Los Angeles Lakers are 15-13, currently just 0.5 games ahead of Dallas for the sixth playoff spot in the Western Conference. The team is 7-9 ATS in their last 16 games. This is the first of a three-game road trip for the Lakers, who are 5-6 away from Los Angeles this season.

The Lakers used a smothering defense to dominate Orlando on Sunday, 106-94. James led the way with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, hitting 12 of 20 shots. Russell Westbrook and Talen Horton-Tucker each had 19 as Los Angeles hit 13 of 28 three-point attempts.

The Lakers are one of the best scoring teams in the NBA, fifth overall at 111.3 points per game. It has been an outstanding performance shooting that has helped Los Angeles, as they are sixth in field-goal percentage (46.6%), but they have been great in defending their own basket as well, fourth in defensive rebounds per game (36.4), fifth in total rebounds (46.3), seventh in steals (8.7) and fourth in blocks per game (5.9).

Porzingis Shines with Doncic Out

The Dallas Mavericks enter this contest at 14-13, going 3-1 ATS in their last four, but they are 4-7 ATS in their last 11. The Mavericks have struggled at home this season, going just 7-6. The victory over Charlotte on Monday snapped a streak of five straight losses at home.

With Doncic out, Kristaps Porzingis stepped up his game, scoring 24 points and adding 13 rebounds as Dallas defeated Charlotte, 120-96. Trey Burke came off the bench to add 22, hitting nine of 14 shots as the Mavericks hit 51.8% of their shots, including 19-41 from three-point range.

The Mavericks are excellent defensively, allowing 104.5 points per game, sixth overall. That is going to be a key to this contest, as this is not a very good team shooting the ball, ranked 22nd overall at 44.5%. They are also 25th in rebounds at 43.6 per game.

Trends:

Los Angeles:

  • 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a contest where their opponent scored more than 100 points.

Dallas:

  • 1-5 ATS in their last six games at home.
  • 1-4 ATS in their last five games as the favorite at home.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks Pick

Dallas was finally able to earn a home victory, but the Mavericks have not been very good in their home arena of late, going 1-5 ATS in their last six games at home. While Los Angeles has not been dominant on the road, they have won three of their last four games and have done so in a decisive fashion, winning by at least eight points in each of those victories.

The loss of Doncic is a huge factor in this contest. While Porzingis stepped up against Charlotte, you simply cannot be without your best player when facing a team that has Lebron James.

Pick: Take Los Angeles Lakers at +2.5

The Total:

Without Davis and Doncic, you have to believe that scoring is going to be down in this contest. The Lakers have gone under in four straight games, including going under in four of their last five games on the road. Dallas has gone under in seven straight games, including five straight games at home.

Against better defensive teams Los Angeles can be slowed down. They put up 106 against Orlando and 95 against Memphis. Dallas was already an offensively challenged team, 26th in the NBA at 104.4 points per game.

Pick: Go under 216.0.