Western Conference Finals Preview

The Western Finals are finally here, and they will tip-off on Wednesday at 9:00 eastern time. The Dallas Mavericks will be facing the Golden State Warriors. This matchup will be fun. We have two of the biggest stars playing in this series. The Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors have played 169 games in the regular season, the Mavericks have eighty-nine victories and eighty for the Warriors. Dallas went 3-1 against Golden state this season.

The Mavericks have one of the best players in Luka Doncic. He has been playing like a man on a mission. Doncic has always been someone that plays his best as the lights get brighter and brighter. Doncic is averaging 31.5 points, 6.6 assists, and 10.1 rebounds per game. If the Mavericks want to beat the Warriors, Doncic must play this way and be the best player in this series. 

Photo Cred: Dallas Morning News

Despite Doncic and his greatness, the Mavericks are more effective when Luka’s teammates are involved. One of the reasons why Dallas beat Phoenix was due to Spencer Dinwiddle, Jalen Brunson, Dorien Finney-Smith, and Dwight Powell. The Mavericks were 18-5 when Dinwiddie was in the lineup, thanks to an ability to break down defenses as either a primary or secondary playmaker and hold down the fort against second units while Luka was out. Against a second unit that includes offense-first Jordan Poole, he should be closer to that level of production he reached in the regular season.

Photo Cred: Dallas Morning News

 Dallas is in the Western Conference finals for the first time since their historic championship run in 2011, led by Maverick’s legend Dirk Nowitzki. On the other hand, the Golden State Warriors are back in the Western Conference finals after a 2-year absence from the playoffs. The Warriors have the most championship experience left in these playoffs. The three-time champions are led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. The Warrior’s big three have won three championships and went to five consecutive finals from 2015-to 2019. 

Photo Cred: SB Nation

Golden State has a new supporting cast that may be better than the original team before KD. Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, Otto Porter, and Jonathan Kuminga played crucial roles in the Warrior’s success. The Warriors trusted Wiggins to defend Doncic during the regular season, and it did not go well. Doncic scored thirty-three points on twenty-two shots over ninety-two possessions against Golden State’s most athletic wing defender. The Warriors will need Stephen Curry to play like an MVP because he did not play his best basketball against the Memphis Grizzlies. Curry has averaged 26.9 points per game while only shooting 35% from three-point range. 

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Curry usually shoots better than 40% from the three-point range. Memphis had one of the best defenses; Curry could find his stroke against a lesser defense. Golden State’s new death lineup with Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green at the center position could cause problems for Dallas. Golden State has perimeter shooting. Draymond Green can play make for everyone else around him. Both teams know what is at stake, and the better team will win the series and advance to the NBA finals.