Sports Handicapper Frank Sawyer's Picks & Predictions

At 10:10 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing Under the Total in the game between the Dallas Mavericks (505) and the Los Angeles Clippers (506) in Game Five of their Western Conference Quarterfinals series. THE SITUATION: Dallas (52-34) has lost four of their last six games after their 116-111 upset loss at home to the Clippers on Monday. Los Angeles (53-33) evened this series at 2-2 with the victory. 

REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: The Mavericks fell behind by 30 points — but they almost rallied to steal that game. They made 49.4% of their shots which was the best shooting effort in their last six games. But they allowed the Clippers to make 53.7% of their shots which was the worst defensive effort in their last four games. Dallas has played 7 of their last 11 games Under the Total when playing with two days of rest. Los Angeles enjoyed their best shooting effort in their last nine contests by making 53.7% of their shots -- even without the injured Kawhi Leonard. They also played their worst defensive game in their last 12 contests by allowing the Mavs to shoot 49.4% from the field. The Clippers have played 18 of their last 26 games Under the Total after a win by six points or less. Their victory snapped a two-game losing streak — and they have also played 16 of their last 22 games at home Under the Total after losing two of their last three games. They return home where they have played 11 of their last 13 home games Under the Total as an underdog of up to six points. 

FINAL TAKE: The Mavericks have played 10 of their last 15 games on the road when listed in the +/- 3-point range — and the Clippers have played 13 of their last 16 home games Under the Total when listed in the +/- 3-point range. 8* NBA Wednesday Late Show O/U Bailout with Under the Total in the game between the Dallas Mavericks (505) and the Los Angeles Clippers (506). Best of luck for us — Frank.

FRANK’S CUTTING ROOM FLOOR FOR WEDNESDAY, 5/1:

My “Cutting Room Floor” plays are the situations I considered the closest to being worthy of investment but did not make the “final cut” for my official plays today for subscribers. The last play I cut for Wednesday was with the Edmonton Oilers with the money-line versus the Los Angeles Kings. Edmonton (52-27-2) took a 3-1 lead in this best-of-seven series with a 3-1 victory on the road against the Kings on Monday. The Oilers have won 19 of their last 25 games at home after a win by just one goal. They have also won 24 of their last 26 games after a game where no more than four combined goals were scored. Los Angeles (44-31-11) has lost 4 of their last 5 games after getting shutout at home in their last game. The Kings have lost four of their last six games — and they have lost 10 of their last 15 games after losing four or five of their last six games. Take Edmonton with the money-line. Best of luck — Frank.

Frank Sawyer’s Hollywood Sports remains on a 19 of 29 (66%) NBA run with featured 25*/20*/10* plays after losing with Cleveland last night! Frank is still on a 29 of 45 (64%) All-Sports run with featured plays — and he enjoys a long-running 87 of 138 (63%) NBA featured play run! Now Frank furthers his 8 of 12 (67%) NBA Game of the Year/Month sides mark with his 25* NBA 1st Round Conference Playoff Game of the Year tonight! DO NOT MISS OUT!

At 10:10 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing the Dallas Mavericks (505) minus the points versus the Los Angeles Clippers (506) in Game Five of their Western Conference Quarterfinals series. THE SITUATION: Dallas (52-34) has lost four of their last six games after their 116-111 upset loss at home to the Clippers on Monday. Los Angeles (53-33) evened this series at 2-2 with the victory. 

REASONS TO TAKE THE CLIPPERS MINUS THE POINTS: The Mavericks may have gotten complacent in Game Four with the news that Kawhi Leonard would not play due to his right knee. Los Angeles raced out of the gates to take a huge 30-point lead in the first half and went into the locker room with a 66-49 lead. Dallas battled back and almost stole the game — but they dug themselves too big a hole. They should start this game much better and play better on defense. They allowed the Clippers to make 53.7% of their shots which was the worst defensive effort in their last four games. Since February 5th, they ranked third in the NBA in opponent’s effective field goal percentage after previously ranking 26th in the league. And in their last 15 games in the regular season, they led the NBA by holding their opponents to 106.1 points per 100 adjusted possessions. The additions of Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington at the trade deadline transformed the defensive makeup of this team. The Mavericks have been resilient after bad losses as they have covered the point spread in 12 of their last 15 games after an upset loss. They have also covered the point spread in 13 of their last 20 games when playing for the second time in five days. Dallas goes back on the road where they have covered the point spread in 19 of their last 25 games when favored — and they have covered the point spread in 15 of their last 20 road games when favored by six points or less. Additionally, they have covered the point spread in 11 of their last 15 road games when listed in the +/- 3-point range. Los Angeles enjoyed their best shooting game in their last nine contests by making 53.7% of their shots. Paul George and James Harden combined to make 11 of their 15 shots from behind the arc — but they are not likely to repeat a 73% shooting percentage from 3-point range. The Clippers have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games after an upset victory. They have also failed to cover the point spread in 14 of their last 19 games after pulling off an upset win on the road including those last five circumstances. They have failed to cover the point spread in 19 of their last 26 games after an upset win on the road. They have also failed to cover the point spread in 8 of their last 12 games after enjoying a halftime of 15 or more points. Furthermore, they have failed to cover the point spread in 24 of their last 35 games when playing with two days of rest. They will once again be without Leonard who is still nursing his right knee. Los Angeles has failed to cover the point spread in 18 of their last 25 games after playing their last two games on the road. They have failed to cover the point spread in 14 of their last 22 games as an underdog — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 4 of their 6 games at home as the dog. 

FINAL TAKE: The Mavericks have covered the point spread in 9 straight games on the road when avenging a loss — and they have covered the point spread in 13 of their last 15 games on the road when playing with revenge from an upset loss as a home favorite. 25* NBA 1st Round Western Conference Playoff Game of the Year with the Dallas Mavericks (505) minus the points versus the Los Angeles Clippers (506). Best of luck for us — Frank.