The Los Angeles Clippers have the higher seed and, as such, homecourt advantage in this battle between the No.4 and the No.5 seed in the West, but I, much like the bookmakers, make the Mavs the better team.

That the Mavs are a road favorite here in the opener of this series is quite telling, and I don't think they'll let us down.

Clippers are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Clippers are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Clippers are 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 playoff games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5. Mavericks are 21-6 ATS in their last 27 games as a road favorite.

5* PLAY ON THE MAVS.