Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA – Photo by Icon sport
Dallas Mavericks vs Minnesota Timberwolves Game 2: Western Conference Finals
The Dallas Mavericks won the opening game of the series and now are hoping for another huge step forward when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at Target Center.
Is this the season for the Mavs?
The Dallas Mavericks are on the right track to get back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011. They started the Western Conference Finals series with a road 108-105 win against the Timberwolves. PJ Washington made a crucial three-pointer to give the Mavs the lead as the game entered the final two minutes. Luka Doncic with a step-back jumper and Kyrie Irving with a pair of free throws sealed the deal for the Mavs. Doncic, who led the league in scoring in the regular season with 33.9 points per game, is the Mavs top scorer in the playoffs, averaging 27.7 points per game, followed by Irving, who has 21.8.
Can the Wolves tie the series at home?
The Minnesota Timberwolves have the best season in franchise history as they are back in the Western Conference Finals for the first time in two decades. On their way here, they swept the star-packed Phoenix Suns and beat the defending champion Denver Nuggets on the road. However, they had a poor start in the series against the Mavericks and are one game down. The Wolves shot only 42.7% from the field and were outrebounded 48-40. Jaden McDaniels was the leading scorer for Minnesota with 24 points on 6 of 9 shots from the field. Anthony Edwards scored 19 and Karl-Anthony Towns added 16. Edwards has been the best player for the Wolves in the postseason, averaging 28.1 points per game.
Betting Trends
The Timberwolves are 8-4 SU in the last 12 games overall, 10-5 SU in their last 15 home games, 4-2 SU in the last 6 games against the Mavs, and 6-2 SU in their last 8 home games against Dallas. Minnesota is 8-4 ATS in their last 12 games overall, 7-4 ATS in the last 11 games against teams from the Western Conference, and 2-5 ATS in the last 7 home games played on Friday. They have played under the total point line in 8 of the last 10 games overall, in 4 of the last 6 games against teams from the Southwest Division, and in 9 of their last 13 games played in May. The Mavericks are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games overall and 7-2 SU in their last 9 games against teams from the Western Conference. They are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 games on the road. Dallas has played under the total point line in 10 of their last 15 games overall and in 8 of their last 10 games against teams from the Northwest Division.
Prediction and Conclusion
We saw an amazing game in the series opener with many lead changes, and only small details made the difference at the end. That was a huge win for the Mavericks, who stole the home court advantage and are in an excellent situation going to the next one. However, the Wolves showed they are able to bounce back when needed as they turned around the series against the Nuggets and will show up ready. Anthony Edwrads shot only 6 of 16 in Game 1, and looking back at his stats, he barely plays two bad games in a row. Edwards will step up and score over 30, which will be enough for the Timberwolves to tie the series.
