Vegas Play of the Day: Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Clippers

By Case Keefer (contact)

Monday, March 7, 2016 | 1:14 p.m.

We've reset the Play of the Day with fresh bankrolls and turned it into a yearly competition. Our three sports writers have re-started with $10,000 bankrolls to continue using on odds from the South Point.

Dallas Mavericks plus-5.5 vs. Los Angeles Clippers: $330 to win $300

There appear to be nine (semi) worthy teams for only eight playoff spots in the Western Conference. The Mavericks have stayed safely among the group all season, but their hold is loosening.

Dallas has lost two straight and gone only 4-4 since the all-star break, despite playing a soft schedule. An overtime loss at Denver last night was particularly damaging, as Dallas had a 2-point lead with 7 seconds to go but committed a turnover on an in-bounds pass.

After failing to regroup in overtime, the Mavericks were understandably frustrated. That temperament bodes well for tonight’s game.

I expect a strong effort from Dallas, making me feel comfortable taking them, despite playing a back-to-back against a better team. The Mavericks were 6-point underdogs the last time they hosted the Clippers and responded with a 118-108 victory.

There’s no reason they can’t beat the Clippers again, especially with the fate of their season waffling.

Current Standings (as of July 1): Brewer (39-32, $11,620), Bern (25-33, $5,995), Keefer (33-45-2, $5,362)

Lifetime standings: 2014-15 Champion Bern (105-107-1), Keefer (117-127-4), Brewer (108-119-2)

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.