The Dallas Mavericks (3–9) continue their home stand with an NBA Cup group stage matchup against the LA Clippers (3–8), with both teams desperate to stop the bleeding. Friday’s tilt tips off at 7:30 PM CT inside the American Airlines Center — where the Cup’s signature blue-glare court will light the floor again. It wasn’t that long ago these two franchises were locked in playoff battles with real stakes. Now? They’re both husks of those teams, searching for identity.
Dallas has dropped six of seven and is 0–6 against the Western Conference. The Clippers have lost six straight, are still winless on the road, and rank near the bottom in defensive rating. And yet… there’s still intrigue. Brandon Williams has earned a starting role by complementing Cooper Flagg’s game with downhill aggression and tempo. Moussa Cisse’s rim protection and energy have also flashed in limited minutes.
We’re not expecting a masterpiece. But there’s hope for something _interesting_ — even fun — on a Friday night.
Let’s scan the lines in search of value.
**November 14, 2025** — _LA Clippers (3–8) at Dallas Mavericks (3–9)_
**Tipoff:** 7:30 PM CT — _American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX_
**How To Watch:** KFAA-TV, Mavs.com
**Spread:** LAC -3.5 (-110) / DAL +3.5 (-110)
**Total:** 219.5 (O -110 / U -110)
**Moneyline:** LAC -162 / DAL +136
**Lean: Clippers -3.5**
**Lean: Under 219.5**
Turnovers down the stretch against Phoenix proved costly for Dallas. If the game is close, can they limit turnovers in crunch time when the other squad has Harden running the point on the other side?
The Clippers have been bad, but they’ve faced stiffer competition than Dallas and still have enough veteran punch to punish this short-handed Mavericks team. With Lively and Davis once again questionable, the defensive rim protection may not be there. Harden and Zubac could eat. The NBA Cup scoring format means bigger leads and longer minutes for rotation players, making a backdoor cover less likely.
We lean to the under again. Dallas has scored 114 and 110 in their last two, but overall trends (low offensive rating, missing bodies) suggest tempo may drag again — especially if the game stays close.
**Ivica Zubac over 10.5 rebounds (-127)**
Zubac is averaging 10.5 RPG on the season and has cleared this number in six of his last eight. He’s also coming off a 9-board outing against the Nuggets, and the matchup here is juicy: if Lively and Davis are out (both questionable), this number could balloon. Even if one plays, the glass opportunity is there.
**Cooper Flagg over 27.5 PRA (-115)**
Flagg put up 16/6/5 against Phoenix and continues to hover in this range with high usage. With PJ Washington also questionable, Flagg’s touches and minutes should remain steady. Even when the scoring dips, the boards and assists keep the floor high.
See More:
* [Mavericks Game Coverage](/dallas-mavericks-game-coverage)
* [Mavericks Odds, Betting and Daily Fantasy](/dallas-mavericks-odds-betting-daily-fantasy)