As the Dallas Mavericks head to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on April 4, both teams find themselves navigating different kinds of pressure in the final stretch of the 2024–25 regular season. The Clippers, sitting at 43-32, are aiming to solidify their playoff seeding in a Western Conference gridlock where every game affects the bracket. The Mavericks, meanwhile, are clinging to a thread of postseason hope with a 37-39 record and the look of a team that’s been through several metaphorical car crashes this season. For Dallas, this game could be the one that keeps the dream alive or finally pulls the plug. For the Clippers, it’s about avoiding a play-in scenario and entering the playoffs with momentum, health, and rhythm intact. Dallas enters the matchup badly bruised. Their season was gutted by injuries and star movement, most notably the season-ending injury to Kyrie Irving, which followed the high-profile departure of Luka Dončić. Without their two superstars, the Mavericks have tried to manufacture offense from a roster that wasn’t built to function without them. Max Christie, once seen as a promising piece, has struggled with consistency, failing to meet his projected impact as the new focal point. Over his past ten games, the under has hit on his combined points, rebounds, and assists in nine of them—an alarming trend that reflects the larger offensive anemia Dallas is dealing with.

Defensively, they’ve shown a few flashes of competence, but breakdowns on the perimeter and weak interior help have made them vulnerable to high-scoring, well-spaced teams. That’s a bad omen when you’re about to face the Clippers in their home arena. The Clippers, on the other hand, are entering this game with stability and purpose. While not the league’s flashiest squad, they’ve been effective on both ends. Offensively, they’re averaging over 115 points per game and have a remarkable 26-11-1 record against the spread when surpassing that mark. They’ve managed to win with a committee approach—featuring a combination of elite veterans and role players who understand their roles. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have remained mostly healthy, which in Clipperland feels like a miracle. Their ball movement has improved compared to previous iso-heavy years, and their defense ranks in the top five league-wide, allowing just under 108 points per game. They’ve also been strong at home, with performances built on early leads and methodical execution in the halfcourt. This game’s recent history adds intrigue. The teams split their December matchups, both winning by double digits, but the context was different—Dallas had more firepower then. Now, with their rotation stitched together like Frankenstein’s monster, they’ll need near-perfect execution to have a shot. The Clippers, if focused, can put this game away early with strong defense and timely shooting. So while the Mavericks are technically still in the race, this game may prove to be the mathematical and emotional tipping point. The Clippers are the clear favorite, and if they bring playoff-level intensity, Dallas will be left wondering what might’ve been—again.