NBA Betting Preview (May 22): Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Game 1 Predictions

After dramatic series wins, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks have secured their spots in the Western Conference finals. The Timberwolves’ comeback victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 was particularly impressive. They rallied from a 20-point deficit in the second half to clinch the series, which showcases not only their resilience but also their ability to perform under immense pressure. On the other hand, the Dallas Mavericks also concluded their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games, sealing their advancement with a decisive home victory.

Looking ahead to the Western Conference finals, the Timberwolves and Mavericks bring strong momentum into what promises to be an exciting matchup.

Let’s look at the betting odds on both teams for this upcoming matchup.

Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Betting Odds

Mavericks Moneyline Odds	+170 @ Bet99
Timberwolves Moneyline Odds	-178 @ Pinnacle
Over/Under	Over 206.0 points (-110) @ PointsBet Under 206.5 points (+100) @ Proline+
Spread	Mavericks +4.5 (-105) @ Bet99 Timberwolves -4.5 (-115) @ Sports Interaction
Series Odds	Mavericks +160, Timberwolves -190 @ bet365
Time/Date	May 22, 8:30 p.m. ET
TV	Broadcast: TSN 1/3/4/5 Stream: NBA League Pass (How to watch the NBA in Canada?)

Betting the Dallas Mavericks (8-4 SU, 7-5 ATS, 5-7 o/u)

The Dallas Mavericks secured a thrilling victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, winning by the narrowest of margins at 117-116. This game showcased not only the Mavericks’ intensity but also highlighted key contributions from their star players and supporting cast in crucial moments.

Luka Doncic nearly achieved a 30-point triple-double, demonstrating his all-around game with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. His ability to impact the game across multiple facets continues to be a driving force for Dallas. Kyrie Irving’s performance, particularly his 18-point burst in the second half, was instrumental in rallying the Mavericks from a double-digit halftime deficit, underscoring his reputation as a clutch performer. Derrick Jones Jr. and Dereck Lively II made significant impacts, stepping up when their team needed them the most. Jones Jr. added a vital 22 points, including four three-pointers. Meanwhile, Lively’s contribution was crucial, especially in the fourth quarter, where he notched 8 points and 6 rebounds, finishing with a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds. His presence in the paint and rebounding prowess were crucial in the game’s closing stages, helping to secure the win.

This collective team effort, combining star power and timely contributions from role players, exemplifies the balanced team dynamics that the Mavericks must maintain as they progress deeper into the playoffs.

Betting the Minnesota Timberwolves (8-3 SU, 8-3 ATS, 6-5 o/u)

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ remarkable comeback victory against the Denver Nuggets highlighted their depth and resilience, with multiple players contributing significantly. With six players scoring in double digits, the Timberwolves showcased a well-rounded offensive attack, a key factor in overturning the deficit and securing the win.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels led the scoring, each posting 23 points. Towns, known for his versatile play, also grabbed 12 rebounds, contributing a strong double-double that emphasized his presence in the paint and on the boards. His defensive contributions, including 2 steals and a block, were crucial in pivotal moments of the game. Jaden McDaniels matched Towns in scoring and added 6 rebounds, along with similar defensive stats of 2 steals and a block, underscoring his growing role as one of the best two-way players in the league. His ability to score and defend at high levels added much-needed versatility to the Timberwolves’ lineup. Despite struggling with his shooting, Anthony Edwards still managed to substantially impact the game with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. His all-around contributions exemplify his importance to the team’s success, showing that he can affect the game in multiple ways beyond scoring.

This team-oriented performance, characterized by balanced scoring and significant contributions across the board, is a testament to the Timberwolves’ depth and ability to leverage multiple players in critical situations. As they advance in the playoffs, this ability to distribute the scoring load and receive impactful performances from various players will be key to their continued success.

Pacers vs. Celtics Injury Concerns

• Luka Doncic (knee/ankle) is probable for Wednesday’s Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Timberwolves.
• Maxi Kleber (shoulder) is expected to miss a significant amount of time, if not the entire postseason, due to a full dislocation of his right AC joint.
• Olivier-Maxence Prosper (ankle) is out for Wednesday’s Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Timberwolves.
• Mike Conley (Achilles) is questionable for Game 1 against Dallas.

NBA Betting Trends

• In the four times the two teams played each other this season, the game went over in three of them.
• The Celtics cleared the total points over in 3 out of 6 games against the Thunder in the second round.
• The Timberwolves hit the total points under in the last 5 out of 7 games against the Nuggets in the second round.

NBA Player Prop Trends

• Kyrie Irving has recorded under 4.5 points in the first quarter in every postseason game. His line is at -110 to record under 4.5 points in the first quarter against the Timberwolves.
• Luka Doncic recorded over 8.5 rebounds in his last 5 games. His line is at -115 to record over 8.5 rebounds against the Timberwolves.
• Naz Reid has recorded under 1.5 threes in his last 5 games. His line is at -155 to record under 1.5 threes against the Mavericks.

Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Predictions

• Kyrie Irving under 4.5 First Quarter Points: -115. Kyrie Irving has not scored more than four points in the first quarter throughout the postseason. With Anthony Edwards stating that he will be assigned to guard Kyrie for this series, I do not expect Ant to give up any easy points. Therefore, I anticipate this trend of Irving scoring under 4.5 points in the first quarter to continue.
• Over 208.5 Total Points: -110. In Game 1, where both teams will face each other for the first time in the postseason, I anticipate a high-scoring match featuring incredible talent such as Luka, Ant, KAT, and Kyrie. During the regular season, the total points line was surpassed in 3 out of 4 meetings between these teams. In the one instance where it didn’t surpass, the total points reached exactly 208. This history suggests that we can expect an exciting, high-scoring game.