Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors 5/18/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions

Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors Matchup Preview (5/18/22)

This is not the Western Conference Finals matchup that most NBA fans and experts expected. Golden State started the 2021-22 season red hot but cooled off substantially in the last few months leading to the playoffs. Finally, the Warriors were able to get every critical rotational player except for James Wiseman and Andre Iguodala healthy, and it showed in the first round of the playoffs. Golden State suffered additional injuries to Otto Porter Jr and Gary Payton II but did not let those losses dictate its season. Shockingly, the Mavericks have made it to the Western Conference Finals despite being without Tim Hardaway Jr, one of their top wing scorers. Luka Doncic and company have meshed well since the Mavs decided to move from Kristaps Porzingis. It may still be premature, but that seems to be one of the better decisions the organization has made since its inception.

Regardless of what has happened earlier in the season, both teams are here now and have to take advantage of the moment. Golden State is likely the favorite, but Dallas has proven it can compete with the best teams after knocking off the Phoenix Suns in Game Seven on the road! Below I cover more game-specific analysis and betting information, so take a look and see what’s ahead for both teams!

Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors Betting Odds

I’m pretty surprised that the Warriors are merely five-point home favorites. Golden State has more depth and shooting and has historically been incredibly tough to beat at home. Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson are two terrific wing defenders with good, comparable size to Luka Doncic, so I think Golden State will be fine on that end of the floor. Additionally, the Warriors just outrebounded the Memphis Grizzlies in almost every game despite being undersized, so what does that mean they will do to an awful rebounding team like Dallas? Still, I have overvalued the Warriors all season long, so this does scare me a bit. Regardless, I have to stick to my guns and go with Golden State against the spread because it has many weapons.

How To Watch

Date: 5/18/22
Time: 9:00 PM ET
Arena: Chase Center – San Francisco, CA
Channel: TNT

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Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup

PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Jalen Brunson
SF: Reggie Bullock
PF: Dorian Finney-Smith
C: Dwight Powell

Dallas Mavericks Analysis

After the first two games against Phoenix, NBA experts and Mavs fans were calling for the rest of the team outside of Luka Doncic to step up. Mission accomplished. The role players had some massive games, including a 24-point night (eight three-pointers) from Dorian Finney-Smith, a 28-point outing from Jalen Brunson, and a 30-point performance from Spencer Dinwiddie. Dallas will need the same output from its secondary scorers if it wants to advance to the NBA Finals. Still, it is clear what the Mavs need to do to move on in the playoffs: hold Golden State at or under 100 points. When Phoenix scored 101 points or fewer, Dallas was 4-0 in the series. The Mavericks should understand that they are not offensive juggernauts outside Luka Doncic, so containing Golden State, especially on the perimeter, is of the utmost importance.

Golden State Warriors Starting Lineup

PG: Steph Curry
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Andrew Wiggins
PF: Jonathan Kuminga
C: Draymond Green

Golden State Warriors Analysis

We should be seeing a plethora of small ball lineups from the Golden State Warriors in this series, and I fully expect them to have favorable matchups on the floor at most times. Phoenix did not have enough suitable wing defenders to keep Doncic at bay, whether in isolation or throwing inadequate double teams at him that he could pass out of with ease. However, the Warriors have several capable wings and perimeter defenders that can bother Doncic at times, including Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, and even Draymond Green in switch situations. What’s so impressive about the Warriors is that they outrebounded an elite rebounding team in Memphis throughout most of the games despite being a bit undersized. Now, the Warriors face a miserable rebounding team in Dallas, and if they replicate that sense of urgency on the boards, they should close this series out before getting to a Game Seven.