Dallas Mavericks vs Timberwolves-The Dallas Mavericks and Timberwolves clash in the Western Conference Finals with a berth in the NBA Finals on the line. Read on for previews and predictions for this series. Dallas Mavericks vs Timberwolves-And make sure you check out our NBA Playoffs Betting Guide, which will serve as the hub for all of our postseason betting content!
Dallas Mavericks vs Timberwolves Series Preview
Luka Doncic is in the Western Conference Finals for the 2nd time in 3 years.
This time, he will have to overcome the best defense in the NBA to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in his career.
Top NBA Assets:
Today’s NBA Pick
NBA Betting Primer (Free Download)
NBA public betting percentages and betting divisions
NBA Odds
Today’s NBA injury report
Perle Calculator
NBA Prop Bet Analyzer
Dallas Mavericks vs Timberwolves-Minnesota Timberwolves is in the conference finals for just the second time in franchise history, and first since 2004. A win would mean the franchise’s first NBA Finals berth since joining the league in 1989.
Dallas Mavericks vs Timberwolves-As it stands now, the betting market believes it will be Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves representing the Western Conference in the NBA Finals.
The Timberwolves won the series against the Mavericks as -150 favorites when Minnesota ousted Denver on Sunday night, the first series price to appear in the market. This price went as high as -190 in multiple stores in just 30 minutes. There was a buyback in Dallas at +160 and the market in Minnesota seemingly settled at -170.
It’s no surprise to see the market rally around the Timberwolves. They knocked off the defending champions, and they’re a team that would seemingly match up well with the Mavericks.
Dallas is a team built around its star, Luka Doncic, operating in isolation on offense. Kyrie Irving was sixth in frequency (19.9%) and the Mavericks scored 1.08 points per possession on those plays.
It’s no secret that both will want to find mismatches, as it is known to them. It has them in the Western Conference Finals. The problem is the Timberwolves may be the antidote to that poison.
Minnesota is loaded with elite individual defenders. That’s why the Timberwolves allowed the second-fewest points per possession in isolation (0.86) during the regular season. Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels are elite wing defenders with size. Mike Conley is small, but smart in how he defends. Doncic and Irving can try to target Karl-Anthony Town or Rudy Gobert, but their size and length make it difficult to shoot over them, even in isolated situations.
Oklahoma City – the team that ranks first in isolation defense at 0.84 points allowed – has done a tremendous job against both Doncic and Irving. The two Mavericks stars will have their work cut out for them here.
That means that Dallas’ role players will have to step up once again.
PJ Washington averaged 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds on 46.9% shooting from 3-point range. Derrick Jones Jr. averaged 12.8 points and 3.2 rebounds on 37.0% 3-point shooting. Derek Lively leads the team in plus-minus for the series with a massive +71 through six games.
Minnesota is hardly perfect. It averaged just 106.1 points per 100 possessions in three losses to Denver, and had a -17.6 net rating. The Timberwolves’ offense may be streaky to say the least, and the Mavericks’ defensive transition over the last 32 games is real.
Dallas Mavericks vs Timberwolves-Dallas Mavericks averaged 110.6 points per 100 possessions the following basketball season. It allowed opponents to take just 30.0% of their attempts at the rim and they allowed just 57.3% of those shots.
Dallas Mavericks vs Timberwolves-Minnesota Timberwolves is a team that likes to attack the paint. It has attempted the second-highest frequency of rim shots in the postseason (37.6%), but is shooting just 63.6% in the restricted area. Dallas Mavericks vs Timberwolves-Dallas Mavericks will challenge that aspect of their offense.
That being said, it’s hard to turn away from the Timberwolves now.
Minnesota has the wing defenders to beat Doncic and Irving. Dallas Mavericks vs Timberwolves-Their ability to guard in one-on-one situations will allow other defenders to stay at home and challenge lesser shooters like Washington and Jones. They are – again – a deep team too.
The betting market rushed to back the favorite on Sunday night and I would agree with that initial move. Dallas Mavericks vs Timberwolves-I would also say that the odds of the Timberwolves winning this series are greater than -170. A straight up series price bet is priced just like any other derivative market tied to the series.