In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the Warriors made a resounding statement with a 28-point win over the Mavericks.
Golden State dominated in multiple facets of the game, holding Dallas to 87 points on 36.0 percent shooting from the field and 22.9 percent shooting from 3-point range. Offensively, the Warriors used a balanced attack, as Stephen Curry (21 points) was one of seven players in double figures.
MORE: Warriors defense stifles Mavs in Game 1 victory
For the Mavericks, Luka Doncic was kept at bay, finishing with 20 points and seven turnovers while shooting 6 of 18 from the field.
Here's everything to know about Warriors vs. Mavericks, including updated odds, trends and predictions for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
Warriors vs. Mavericks odds for Western Conference Finals Game 2
- Spread: Warriors +6.0
- Over/under: 214.0
- Moneyline: Mavericks +215, Warriors -260
(betting odds per FanDuel Sportsbook)
The Warriors are again betting favorites in Game 2 and have won each of their last two playoff games. Golden State is 3-3 against the spread over its last six playoff games.
Four betting trends to watch
Warriors Ground
The magic from Oakland's Oracle Arena must have traveled across the bay to San Francisco's Chase Center.
With Wednesday's win in Game 1, the Warriors improved to a flawless 7-0 at home this postseason.
Since the end of the regular season, Golden State is 7-2 ATS at home, with the two exceptions coming in two close victories as heavy favorites during this postseason.
Luka Magic
Golden State made life difficult for Dallas' wunderkind in Game 1, but how will he bounce back in Game 2?
Doncic's 20 points in the series opener were his lowest total of this postseason run. The Warriors' defense made it difficult, but Doncic is crafty enough to find ways to exploit things with a few adjustments.
MORE: Luka Doncic shoulders responsibility for Mavericks' Game 1 loss
A player that lives to quiet opposing crowds, Doncic is averaging 31.0 points per game on the road this postseason, even after a relative dud to open the Western Conference Finals.
You live by the 3…
And, well, you know the rest.
Dallas, a team that heavily relies on the 3-ball, shot an abysmal 11 of 48 (22.9 percent) from distance in Game 1. The Mavericks' poor shooting could be attributed to fatigue from a Game 7 or the Warriors' stingy defense — or both.
The Mavs should be a bit more rested in Game 2 and, as a result, will manufacture more offense. The Warriors' defense will be just as stingy, though.
X-Factors
Both the Warriors and Mavericks have prolific guards coming off the bench.
After struggling at times against the Mavs during the regular season, Jordan Poole scored an efficient 19 points (on 8-of-12 shooting) while Spencer Dinwiddie was Dallas' most efficient performer, scoring 17 points on 5-of-11 shooting.
Given the ways in which Poole got to his spots in Game 1, he's much more likely to replicate his performance in Game 2.
Warriors vs. Mavericks expert predictions
Against the spread
Warriors -6. We've seen this story with the Mavericks before. Last series, they lost each of the first two games — one was a rout and one was a game that wasn't as close as the final score suggested. The Warriors displayed a championship level of focus in Game 1 and can employ similar tactics to take Game 2.
Over-under
Over 214.0. The Mavericks felt the residual effects of having recently played in a Game 7 and, as a result, could barely get any shots to go in Game 1. Credit is owed to Golden State's defense making things difficult, but Dallas will adjust and bounce back accordingly on the offensive end. It will be far from a shootout, but both teams should have some offensive juice in Game 2.
Player prop
Stephen Curry over 26.5 points. Curry scored just 21 points in Game 1, but his scoring efforts weren't needed with the Warriors pulling away to win in a convincing fashion. That should change in a game that will be a bit closer.
Curry's already scored 27 or more eight times this postseason and you should expect him to be better than his 7-of-16 shooting in Game 1. Curry was also uncharacteristic from the charity stripe — The career 90.8 percent free throw shooter shot 4 of 7 (57.1 percent) in Game 1.
