The Dallas Mavericks’ quest for their second NBA title continues this week, with a showdown against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Final.
The Mavs’ enter the series off a historic upset of the top-seeded Phoenix Suns in seven games during the second round of the NBA Playoffs, capped off by a 123-90 Game 7 shellacking on Sunday.
The series pits Warriors guard Steph Curry, who ranks eighth in the NBA in scoring during the postseason (26.9 points per game) against Dallas’ Luka Doncic, who is averaging 31.5 PPG during the playoffs, ranking 2nd overall behind Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Both Curry and Doncic will be front and center for their respective teams in Game 1 of the series, which tips off from San Francisco’s Chase Center at 8 p.m. Central time on Wednesday, in a game that TNT will televise nationally.
Texas sports betting is not legal at this time. It could be taken up by the legislature in 2023 and then face a referendum.
The Texas Sports Betting Alliance, a group supported by most of the professional sports teams in Texas, including the Mavericks, is trying to keep the issue fresh in lawmakers' minds before they return for the next session.
Mavericks-Warriors Series Schedule
- Game 1: Wednesday, 9 p.m. (EST) at Golden State.
- Game 2: Friday, 9 p.m. at Golden State.
- Game 3: Sunday, 9 p.m. at Dallas.
- Game 4: May 24, 9 p.m. at Dallas.
- Game 5: May 26, 9 p.m. at Golden State (if necessary).
- Game 6: May 28, 9 p.m. at Dallas (if necessary).
- Game 7: May 30, 8 p.m. at Golden State (if necessary).
Warriors a Commanding NBA Title Favorite
One theme that emerges when you glance at the NBA title odds boards of a quartet of national sportsbooks is that the Mavericks are the longest of longshots in the NBA title chase.
The Mavs’ title futures range from +550 (DraftKings Sportsbook), to +600 (BetMGM and FanDuel Sportsbook), to +650 (Caesars Sportsbook), ranking last on each site.
Golden State’s titles odds, on the other hand, range from +130 (Caesars Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook) to +150 (BetMGM), ranking well ahead of the consensus No. 2 Boston Celtics, who are listed anywhere from +190 to +210 to win the 2022 NBA Championship.
In between, you’ll find the Warriors at +135 to win it all on DraftKings Sportsbook, ranking ahead of the Miami Heat (+295), Celtics (+310) and Mavericks (+550).
Updated NBA Title Odds
Dallas Heavy Underdogs in Game 1
Another theme that can be gleaned by glancing at the quartet of sportsbooks’ odds boards is that Golden State is expected to win comfortably in Wednesday’s Game 1.
That’s because the Mavericks are listed from +5.5 for Game 1 on all four sportsbook sites, despite knocking off the Suns and Utah Jazz this postseason.
For those looking to plunk down a moneyline wager on Wednesday’s Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, you’ll find the Mavericks anywhere from +180 (BetMGM), to +185 (Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook), and +190 on FanDuel Sportsbook.
Whether the Mavericks can advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in 11 years to face either the Miami Heat or Boston Celtics remains to be seen.
What we know right now is that Dallas is in a familiar position, as the proverbial underdog against a more respected opponent, at least according to oddsmakers at the nation’s preeminent sportsbooks.
