Top 3 NBA Betting Odds & Picks for Thursday, May 26 (2022)
The Mavericks will look to avoid elimination for the fourth time this postseason and the second time this week as the Western Conference Finals swing back to the West Coast. A sixth NBA Finals in eight years is on the line for the Warriors, as the team will look to add yet another notch to their dynasty.
Let’s take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and see where the edges remain.
#1. Mavericks +7 | -110 at DK Sportsbook
Mavs’ head coach Jason Kidd seemed to find something on Tuesday in their 119-109 Game 4 win in Dallas, as the move of Luka Doncic to the wing really opened up their role players’ looks. Specifically, guard Reggie Bullock got back to his three-point flow, making 6 of 10 from deep on the way to 18 points.
As we’ve said all series long, if Doncic can get even a spark of help outside of Spencer Dinwiddie off the bench, he is talented enough to get this team over the hump. It’s also worth noting that despite the lopsided 3-0 result, the Mavericks were very much in both Game 2 and 3, taking a commanding 14-point lead into the half of Game 2 and trailing by just one at the half of Game 3.
While Doncic will undoubtedly get his, if Bullock, Dinwiddie, and the rest of the Mavs’ supporting cast can support, I think we see this game remain close late with their back against the wall.
#2. Warriors ML | -310 at DK Sportsbook
Make no mistake about it; the Warriors are still very much a dynasty. It’s worth mentioning that while the Warriors’ bench got them back in the game late Tuesday, the Splash Brothers (Curry/Thompson) combined for just 32 points in Game 4.
That likely won’t happen again this series, especially back in the friendly confines of the Chase Center. While I like the Mavs to hang around late, the Warriors still almost certainly get this one done at home, giving themselves a week’s worth of rest before the Finals begin on June 2nd.
#3. Under 215.5 | -110 at DK Sportsbook
Four games thus far have provided two overs and two under, none of which were particularly close to the number (all of which have been just about here at 215.5). In this one, however, I like for defense to reign supreme.
The Warriors finished the regular season #2 in defensive efficiency, while the Mavericks also ranked inside the top 10 in most defensive rating categories. With the season on the line for Dallas and a chance to close out the series for Golden State, I look for both teams to buckle down defensively and for this one to be ground to a halt early and often.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our Sports Betting Strategy and Advice page is for you. You can get started with our 101 section — including 10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners — or head to more advanced strategy — like Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread — to learn more.
Johnny is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Johnny, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers