The Western side in the 2022 NBA Finals could very well be decided tonight in Dallas, as the Warriors will look to reach the finals for the sixth time in eight years. Do the Mavericks have enough left in the tank to force a Game 5 back in The Bay?
Let’s take a closer look.
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DraftKings Odds
- Warriors +1 (-110), -115
- Mavericks -1 (-110), -105
- O/U 215.5 (Over -110, Under -110)
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors capitalized on a 30-21 run in the third quarter of Game 3 on Sunday to seal a 109-100 win behind a depth of scoring unfound elsewhere in the NBA. While Steph Curry dropped his typical 30+ (31), Andrew Wiggins was the robbin in this game as he dropped 27 points and grabbed 11 boards in the win. His second-half posterization of Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who has become a loveable villain this postseason, ignited this Warriors team late and won’t soon be forgotten.
Not only has the Warriors’ depth allowed their offense to thrive like it hasn’t in years, but it has also allowed their guys to get (and stay) healthy as the postseason has progressed. With Otto Porter Jr. (foot) the only regular player on the injury list for this game, listed as questionable, they likely rest him for a potential Game 5 on Thursday back at home.
Dallas Mavericks
Doncic will look to become just the third player (Hakeem Olajuwon and LeBron James) in NBA history to put up 40 points 3+ times in a conference finals. In Sunday’s loss in Dallas, Doncic put up a 40-11-3 line and once again was largely on an offensive island in terms of Mavericks scoring as the only starter to score more than 20.
Spencer Dinwiddie was once again the Mavericks’ second-leading scorer, coming off the bench to score 26 points in 32 minutes of action. For the Mavericks, the cooling-off of Jalen Brunson has spelled trouble for a team that is averaging just 102 points per game this series, well below their 108 points per game this season.
Prediction and Best Bet
With a chance at a week of rest on the line tonight in Dallas, as the Eastern Conference Finals are now deadlocked at 2-2, I expect a focused effort from this Warriors team tonight. While it’s never easy to close out a team on the road in Game 4 up 3-0, the Warriors are 6-4 in such spots, including a loss earlier this postseason against the Nuggets.
Though I do expect another big game from Doncic and for him to get his at home, I think the depth and experience of this veteran Warriors team is too much once again.
Pick: Warriors -1
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