Mavericks vs. Warriors Game 2 Betting Odds, Picks, Predictions – May 20

Mavericks vs. Warriors Game 2 Odds

Warriors vs. Mavericks Game 2 Betting Preview

The Warriors asserted their dominance in Game 1 with an aggressive defense and hot shooting in the second half. After a cold start, Klay Thompson and Steph Curry got it going while the Mavericks looked sped up at both ends of the floor. The Warriors perimeter players looked happy to be free from the shackles of the Memphis Grizzlies defense. Dallas had no answer for the off the dribble attack of Jordan Poole and looked flustered all game on that end.

For the first time this playoffs, Luka Doncic looked uncomfortable and indecisive on the offense. He was relentlessly picked on defensively on off ball actions and isolations against Andrew Wiggins. A big key going forward will be where the Mavericks can hide him defensively this series.

The Mavericks role players have struggled shooting from deep on the road in the playoffs, and that continued in Game 1. The team went 4/17 from 3 in the first quarter, and finished 11/48 (23%).

With no other scoring big-man to account for, Draymond Green was able to wreak havoc all over the floor, commanding where the defensive rotations should be and forcing timely traps on Doncic in key moments.

Dallas Mavericks

The key in Game 2 for the Mavericks will be the balance of playmaking and scoring from Luka Doncic. After a series against the Phoenix Suns where he was essentially able to pick his target on switches, the Warriors made it clear they were not going to allow that.

In Game 1 they never made it feel like it was a one on one matchup, and sent multiple style blitzes and traps on the star guard. Doncic attempted to pick on Curry & Poole, but the help from Kevin Looney and Green were always looming behind on the weak side.

A positive for the Mavericks is the number of open to wide open shots missed in Game 1. The game plan for the Warriors seemed to have Andrew Wiggins be ultra physical and send as much help as they can. The Mavericks went 11/44 on open threes (classified as shots where the defender is 4+ feet away). Should definitely be some positive regression there to look forward to in Game 2.

Jalen Brunson and Maxi Kleber terrorized both the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns this playoffs. They need to be factors again in this series. With the motion offense and multiple offensive attacks the Warriors have, it will be vital to give Doncic some breaks on shot creation. Brunson was only 6/16 in Game 1 with a lot of it coming in the second half.

His pressure on the rim and ability to put Poole, Curry or Thompson in foul trouble is a key for Dallas. Kleber was only 1/4 in Game 1 and stayed in foul trouble for most of the minutes in which the game was still competitive. He’s their best option at center and his ability to space the floor gives Doncic the space he would need to operate.

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors have still not lost at home in the playoffs. The key in Game 2 for Golden State will be how they continue to defend Doncic. He’s too good to continue to throw the same looks and get the same results. The Mavericks will adjust to the traps and Doncic will hunt the Looney matchup more going forward. He and Green staying out of foul trouble will be key to the Warriors going up 2 games in this series.

The resurgence of Andrew Wiggins this season continued in Game 1. He finished with 19 points while playing very physical defense on Doncic, including picking him up full court on a few possessions. The Warriors already are tough to defend with the splash brothers and Poole, but Wiggins scoring makes them almost unbeatable if he has it going.

The Warriors can play big or go small. In Game 1 they opted to stay big with Looney and Draymond on the floor. It kept the Mavericks guards out the paint and forced a ton of outside looks. With the Mavericks expected to adjust and continue to stay small, it remains to be seen how much we see Green at the five in the remainder this series.

Mavericks vs. Warriors Game 2 Betting Pick

With the Mavericks struggles on the road and inability to guard the Warriors offensive motions, I see a much more competitive game but the Warriors still getting the win and going up 2-0.

Pick: Warriors Moneyline | -250 at BetMGM

Mavericks vs. Warriors Game 2 Prediction

The Warriors will go up 2-0 in this series with a score of 115-110.