We have played on him as many ways as possible…especially against whomever he guards. But I also like him to score.

You know we blindly play on Daniel Gafford’s D….he draws Ivica Zubac under his 14.5 points. Gafford is a D beast.

This has an ominous feel for LA, as the abject surrender in Game 5 suggests at deeper problems within the Clippers roster and perhaps with HC Ty Lue. Kawhi Leonard's absences (out again tonight) haven't not helped, but a quick perusal of the previous games provides the direction we seek. For only in the first half of Game One and maybe the first quarter-and-a-half of Game 4 have the Clips got the best of the action; Dallas has mostly dominated the rest of the proceedings. There is a score to settle for the Mavs from the 2021 playoffs, and Luka Doncic's familiar 35 points in Game 5 present quite a contrast with LA's PG & James Harden. Play Mavs

Daniel Gafford’s impact in the first round has not been to the level many expected. His minutes per game average is down nearly eight minutes less from the regular season. Yet, he has cleared this points prop in two of the last three games. He was also the team leader in free throw attempts in game five. Take his over in game six.

Maybe I am a sucker here, but I keep looking at this prop as being light. Kyrie averaged 27/G at home in regular season and he dropped a 40-burger last time at home and, yeah, he gets a little too passive at times given how few of his teammates have had a hot hand in this series, but with everyone else in the West already resting, in a huge close-out opportunity, I can't see both guys in this backcourt not balling out tonight. Last game no one played normal minutes it was such a blowout and Kyrie was somehow 1/7 from three, but was 6/12 last time at home and I project he and Luka combine for 70 points tonight

Ivica Zubac played a series-low 26 minutes in Game 5, but that was due to the game being out of reach. Expect a much better effort from the Clippers as they face elimination Friday, which should mean 30-plus minutes for Zubac. He's been efficient offensively in the series, shooting 61 percent. With Dallas doing everything possible to avoid James Harden and Paul George eruption games, Zubac should continue to earn great looks.

This series has been more of a slog for the Mavs than I anticipated, but they may have broken the Clippers last time out. All this time without Kawhi is a problem and Zubacs will run out of gas and Luka started looking like himself in Game 5 and taking over, and I wouldn't be surprised if yet another close-out game went sideways here (Pacers ended series by 22 and Celtics by 34). DAL 50-35 ATS for season; LAC 40-47. LAC 9-15 ATS as a dog and DAL 36-20 as a favorite.