Betting Guide for Game 1 of Mavericks vs. Warriors in the 2022 NBA Western Conference Finals

The 2022 NBA Western Conference Finals are set with the Golden State Warriors hosting the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series on Wednesday night.

Behind ‘Splash Brothers’ Stephen Curry and  Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors are back contending for the NBA championship after a few lean years.  

And thanks to the Dallas Mavericks stomping the defending conference champion Phoenix Suns in Game 7 of the conference semifinals, Golden State has home-court advantage in the Western Conference Finals as the No. 3 seed.  

Here’s how each team can keep its momentum going entering the unlikely — but intriguing — best-of-seven NBA Western Conference Finals. 

This preview of Game 1 of the Mavs-Warriors series is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook. Compare all the sportsbooks' NBA odds to make sure you get the most out of your bets.

Game 1: Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors

Wednesday, May 18 2022, 9PM ET

Why the favored Warriors will cover the spread

Many of the Warriors (-5.5) have been here before and have rings to prove it. They’ve shown some flaws in recent weeks but showed there’s no substitute for experience. They’re more athletic than the Mavericks, who are primed for a letdown after chewing up and spitting out the Suns on Sunday night.  

Why the underdog Mavericks will cover the spread

Simple. If Dallas’ (+5.5) Luka Doncic dominates as he can, and continues to get great support from the likes of Spencer Dinwiddie, and/or if Curry stays cold.  

Curry and Thompson combined for 59 points, including 42 from 3-point land, in Golden State's conference semifinal series-clinching win over Memphis last Friday. Thompson went 8-for-14 from behind the arc; Curry only 6 of 17. 

Why Warriors vs. Mavericks will go Over the 214.5 total points line

Both teams live and die by the 3-pointer, and even an average shooting performance by both sides could result in points piling up quickly.  

Golden State is averaging nearly 125 points over 11 playoff games, while Dallas has averaged 106 points over 13.

DimersBOT Prediction: 225 total points 🔥

Why Warriors vs. Mavericks will stay Under the 214.5 total points line

As noted, both teams live and die by long-distance shooting and it’s not like Curry has been dialed in.  

Dallas showed the ability to tighten up the hatches, limiting Phoenix to 101 points or fewer in four of the last five games, including 86 and 90 in winning Games 6 and 7.  

The X-Factor: Jordan Poole, Warriors Guard

So far in the playoffs, Poole has surpassed his regular-season production by a smidge, averaging 19.3 points while shooting 50 percent from the field. However, he was all over the map in the Memphis series, pouring in 31 in Game 1 but only 17 in Games 5 and 6 combined. If you like Player Props, check out Dimers' new Prop Bets section.

DimersBOT Prediction: Poole 20 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds 

🏀 Projected Mavericks vs. Warriors Game 1 box score
✍️ Betting Preview: Mavericks vs. Warriors Game 1