NBA 2022 Playoffs: Mavericks vs Warriors Game 2 Picks

It was a classic butt-kicking when the Golden State Warriors hosted the Dallas Mavericks for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Do Luka Doncic and the Mavericks have an answer? We're banking with our Mavericks vs Warriors Game 2 picks that Dallas is going to put up a better fight in what should be a more entertaining offering.

The Golden State Warriors gave the Dallas Mavericks a rude awakening as they blew them out of the Chase Center to take Game 1 of the NBA Conference Finals. It comes as no surprise that the Warriors enter Game 2 as even larger favorites when betting on the NBA online. Do the Dallas Mavericks have anything different to offer or will this Mavericks vs Warriors Game 2 pick be more of the same?

Mavericks vs. Warriors Game 2 Preview: Golden Is The State

As the favorites to win the NBA Championship per the MyBookie sportsbook and the top online sports betting sites, the Golden State Warriors have delivered in spades. The team is undefeated (7-0) at home, has the best defense, and is a trio of the NBA's deadliest scorers. But the best player on the floor belongs to the Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic. Which side is more valuable in the book?

Away Team			Home Team
Boston Celtics +6.5	-110	-110	Miami Heat -6.5
Boston Celtics ML	+220	-270	Miami Heat ML
Total			Total
Over 214	-110	-110	Under 214

Warriors are Too Much For One Man To Solve

It was the worst game the Dallas Mavericks played all season and the credit belongs to the Golden State Warriors' top-notch defense. Golden State held Dallas to 36 percent shooting from the field while forcing them to commit 13 turnovers against just 14 assists. Luka Doncic was shut down as he had the worst half of his NBA career, where he scored just two points while committing six turnovers.

Dallas got a taste of the NBA's best home defense. Golden State has allowed the lowest field goal percentage at the Chase Center and the second-fewest points. There is a reason they've held top-five offenses like Utah and Phoenix to under 100 points in this arena. What's scarier for Dallas is that Stephen Curry did not even have that great of a game.

Luka Doncic had more turnovers (7) than field goals made (6) for the 1st time in his playoff career (24 games) pic.twitter.com/88vSvpBcV6

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 19, 2022

Curry, who is averaging 26.4 points these playoffs scored just 21 on 43.8 percent shooting. But seven Warriors hit double figures, including Draymond Green, who terrorized Dallas's shooters all night. No matter how you cut it, Dallas won't win with how poorly it played on offense. But its defense needs to be better.

We can see Dallas, especially Doncic, playing better for Game 2. Dallas will not be shooting under 40 percent again, and Doncic will not have an atrocious game. However, the Warriors still have the edge here and should be able to fend off anything Dallas does. Doncic could erupt for a 30-point triple-double and Golden State would still win a firefight. Bet the Warriors and the points.

An Offensive Explosion Could Be Possible

Speaking of a firefight, there is a chance Game 2 becomes something contradictory to Game 1. Whilst both the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors are known for their disruptive defense, both teams can also light up the scoreboard. The total has gone over in five of their last eight meetings, with at least one team scoring 120 points or more in these games.

Despite Luka Doncic's historically bad performance, the Slovenian has put up some monster numbers against Golden State: 29.4 points on 48.9 percent shooting and a 120 offensive rating. Bank on him to bounce back and have a strong game, and when he does, a few of his teammates like Jalen Brunson (22.3 points this postseason) or Spencer Dinwiddie (30 points versus Phoenix in Game 7) may just follow.

Prior to Game 1, Dallas was shooting 45.3 percent from the field in the playoffs and was hitting 15.5 3-pointers, which still leads the postseason. On the Warriors' part, they are scoring the most points in the playoffs while also leading in field goal percentage. This team averages 116.5 points at home and has had three games of 120+ points at better than 52 percent shooting.

With how streaky each team's scoring can be, we can either see another grind with low-scoring or a back-and-forth shootout. Not only is it more fun to bet, but when the total goes over, it will go beyond 214 points. When you can, find an alternative total and stretch it to go beyond 220 points for a better payout.

Over 214 Total