Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals tips off tonight and Brandon Anderson of The Action Network is here to give you a best bet (video above).
For Anderson, he believes that the Golden State Warriors, which arrive as consensus five-and-a-half-point favorites for the series opener, are the correct side to back tonight.
The reasoning? Dating back to 2015, the Warriors hold a near-impeccable record in series openers.
Mavericks vs. Warriors Game 1 odds
Odds provided by Caesars
Spread: DAL +5.5 (-110) vs. GSW -5.5 (-110)
Moneyline: DAL (+185) vs. GSW (-225)
Total: Over 214.5 (-110) | Under 214.5 (-110)
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“Since the [2015] postseason, the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 are 20-2 straight-up,” Anderson explains.
Additionally, the Warriors have dominated teams against the spread in Game 1’s played on its home floor. Across that same span (2015-2022), the Warriors are 8-2 against the spread as a single-digit home favorite and have covered by an average of 6.4 points per game in those 10 contests.
Stephen Curry, Luka DoncicMediaNews Group via Getty ImagesAnderson also believes that the Mavericks defense will struggle to contain a potent Warriors offense, another reason he believes Golden State will cover.
“[Golden State makes] a lot of back-cuts [and] there’s a lot of movement – you’re chasing Steph [Curry], you’re chasing [Jordan] Poole all over the court,” Anderson says.
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Add in that the Dallas defense will likely have tired legs after finishing a seven-game series against Phoenix and Anderson believes the Warriors to have their way and claim Game 1.
Mavericks vs. Warriors Game 1 prediction
Warriors -5 (-108) — WynnBet
