It’s the Western Conference superpower against the next big thing, as Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors take on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in the 2022 Western Conference Finals. Game 1 is Wednesday.

The Warriors were the No. 3 seed, the Mavericks No. 4. Few are surprised Golden State is here, batting through an injury-stricken season before getting past the Nuggets in five games and the Grizzlies in six. That same cannot be said of Dallas, which fought past the favored Jazz in six games and then took out the No. 1 seed and defending conference champion Suns in seven games. They won Games 6 and 7 by 27 and 33 points.

Dallas also took three of four vs. Golden State during the season. Doncic was especially unstoppable in the two most-recent games.

Ahead of Game 1, we break down the series and make our NBA picks to back on betting sites.

 

Mavericks vs Warriors Odds

Market Mavericks Odds Warriors Odds
To Win Series +185 -225
To Win 4-0 +2500 +700
To Win 4-1 +1400 +350
To Win 4-2 +500 +450
To Win 4-3 +700 +300
Total Games Played 7 Games 6 Games 5 Games 4 Games
Odds +180 +200 +260 +550

Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook and accurate at publication time.

 

Mavericks vs Warriors Betting Tips

Underrated Under: In terms of NBA betting, most look at these two teams and immediately think offense. Think again. Dallas ranks No. 2 in fewest points allowed this season, Golden State fifth. The Mavs lead the league in games finishing Under the total (56-37-2) , the Warriors are sixth.

Starring Cast: Steph Curry has averaged 26.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists in these playoffs. Against Dallas his points waned dramatically (just 20 ppg) but his rebounds (6.8) and assists (7.8) rose just as sharp. Doncic averages 31.5 ppg in these playoffs, the exact average vs. Golden State. His rebounds (10.1 to 9.0) and assists (6.6 to 5.5), however, have been lower.

Depth Charges: The Warriors’ bench has averaged 39.9 ppg these playoffs, most of any team, and its +1.6 plus-minus rating is third. The Mavs rank 10th and 11th in those categories. Golden State’s reserves are expected to get even deeper with the expected returns of Otto Porter Jr. and Andre Igoudala.

 

Mavericks vs Warriors Predictions

Golden State is a solid -225 to win the series at most betting sites. Dallas comes in at +185. Despite the separation of the teams in those odds, Warriors in 7 is the most likely outcome on the NBA odds table at +300, followed by Warriors in 5 (+350).

One could point to Dallas’ regular-season success. But Green played in only one of those games, and Thompson two. A fully healthy Warriors team is going to be tough to handle for a Mavericks squad that is still in the building process.

Doncic is going to get his, and he’s going to lead Dallas to a couple of wins. But there’s too much star power and experience on the other side – at least for one more season. How many games it takes is tough to call here, but Golden State to win is worth a play on betting apps.

 

Mavericks vs Warriors Schedule

  • Game 1: May 18, Dallas at Golden State, 9 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 2: May 20, Dallas at Golden State, 9 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 3: May 22, Golden State at Dallas, 9 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 4: May 24, Golden State at Dallas, 9 p.m. ET, TNT
  • Game 5: May 26, Dallas at Golden State, 9 p.m. ET, TNT *
  • Game 6: May 28, Golden State at Dallas, 9 p.m. ET, TNT *
  • Game 7: May 30, Dallas at Golden State, 8 p.m. ET, TNT *

*-if necessary