Dallas Mavericks Overcome Odds, Win Game 1 vs Timberwolves: Recap
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00:00 [MUSIC]
00:03 The opening game of the Western Conference Finals,
00:06 last night on a Wednesday evening in Minneapolis,
00:09 that we recap and break down for you here on this Thursday morning,
00:13 on the early line on Sports Grid.
00:15 He is Donnie, I am Ben.
00:17 And Donnie right side was all over it yesterday,
00:20 hinting that the Mavericks had a good opportunity to go on the road
00:24 and steal game number one in Minnesota.
00:27 That's exactly what happened.
00:29 Dallas wins outright as a four and a half point underdog,
00:34 108-105 over the Timberwolves to take a 1-0 series advantage
00:39 in the Western Conference Finals.
00:40 A combined 63 points from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
00:45 Kyrie pours in 30, the most he has scored so far for Dallas in this postseason.
00:50 And Luka Doncic scores 33 as well.
00:54 The dynamic duo for Dallas leads the Mavericks to a game one victory in the WCS.
00:59 Dallas wins outright once again as a four and a half point road underdog.
01:03 >> Yeah, and also taking a look at some of the things that went right and
01:06 some of the things that might have went wrong for us.
01:08 We were thinking if the Dallas Mavericks were to win this basketball game, Ben,
01:10 who would it be better for if the game goes over?
01:13 Well, it would be the Dallas Mavericks.
01:14 This game does go over.
01:16 Also told you the four and a half points made a lot of sense because of how much
01:19 Minnesota used in game number seven of the gas tank just to get by that series
01:24 to get home.
01:25 We weren't calling for Minnesota just to not show up.
01:27 And they played quite well throughout the entire evening until that final quarter
01:31 where they just kept turning the basketball over.
01:33 But also from the poll we talked about yesterday,
01:35 which is a superstar tandem that you trust more.
01:38 And it was no disrespect to call Anthony Towns and
01:40 Anthony Edwards were tremendous players in the NBA.
01:43 But I just looked and said, man, Luka can take it up a notch.
01:45 And we've seen Kyrie in the biggest moments hit monster shots to win an NBA
01:50 championship.
01:51 And it didn't surprise me that they combined for 63 points last night.
01:54 And also sometimes you need one of your superstars right away in the basketball
01:57 game to take control.
01:59 And you saw Kyrie Irving do that yesterday.
02:01 Now you are on a learning curve still if you're the Minnesota Timberwolves
02:04 in some areas that you haven't played before,
02:06 like the Western Conference Finals.
02:08 Big stretches of that game opening up,
02:11 call Anthony Towns was nowhere to be found, terrible efficiency.
02:14 And then we saw parts of that second half where Anthony Edwards just disappeared.
02:17 And we had no idea what, come on, man, you're a scorer.
02:20 You scored 40 points multiple times in these NBA playoffs already.
02:23 And we just didn't get that effort.
02:25 But as I say this, it's a great performance by the Mavs.
02:28 I expected it.
02:29 Don't count the Timberwolves out.
02:31 This is going seven.
02:32 And this will be an awesome series to watch.
02:34 But Dallas was just the better basketball team last night when it counted.
02:38 The Timberwolves have been booked as a favorite in all of their home games
02:43 throughout this postseason.
02:44 But that's the only time Minnesota has been a favorite throughout the playoffs.
02:49 And now at home after last night, six games, three and three straight up.
02:54 And against the spread, the 4 and 1/2 point number in favor of the T-Wolves
02:58 last night was actually the largest spread in Minnesota's favor at home
03:03 throughout this playoff run.
03:04 Meanwhile, the Mavericks an underdog in five playoff games so far this year.
03:09 Now four and one straight up.
03:11 And of course, then against the spread.
03:13 Dallas went under in four of six games against OKC.
03:17 Minnesota under in four of seven against Denver.
03:20 All four unders for the Timberwolves against the reigning champs
03:23 came with a T-Wolves victory.
03:25 That is why we looked at the total yesterday and said,
03:28 if Dallas pulls off the outright upset, it probably favors pushing to the over.
03:33 And that's what we got for the pregame over under of 2-0-6.
03:37 And a hook.
03:38 Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were sensational.
03:41 And Kyrie scored 30 without hitting a single three.
03:45 0 of 3 from deep.
03:47 Luka Doncic had the volume once again.
03:49 He was 3 of 10 from beyond the arc.
03:52 And it really was a great game, Donnie.
03:54 And it's maybe a game that will be indicative of what
03:56 we are going to see throughout the Western Conference finals.
03:59 No lead in the second half greater than eight points.
04:02 We never got the double digits in the final two quarters.
04:05 The Mavs actually had that eight point lead early on in the fourth and final
04:09 stanza.
04:10 The Timberwolves had a one point lead with under five minutes remaining.
04:14 So back and forth we went in that fourth quarter.
04:17 And I will just say this.
04:18 Jaden McDaniels has been great for the Timberwolves
04:21 throughout his postseason run.
04:22 Leading scorer for Minnesota last night with 24.
04:25 He made six triples.
04:28 But if Jaden McDaniels in the Western Conference finals,
04:31 when you have Carl Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards on your starting five,
04:35 is going to be your leading scorer, it's probably not
04:38 going to result in many victories for the Timberwolves in the WCF.
04:42 No, it's not.
04:43 And also, how many times have we watched the highlights
04:45 for the Minnesota Timberwolves?
04:46 You watch Anthony Edwards.
04:47 It's slashing to the bucket.
04:49 Amazing dunks.
04:50 Finishing at the rim.
04:51 Getting to the free throw line.
04:53 He turned into a de facto three point shooter last night, Ben.
04:55 Six of 16 from the floor, but that included five of 12 from three point range.
05:00 You love the five of 12 from three point range,
05:02 but where were the times where you're just going to say,
05:04 I'm more talented than you on defense.
05:06 I'm going to be able to get my buckets at the rim.
05:08 Look, you can't compare him to like a LeBron James.
05:10 But there were times back in LeBron James career
05:12 where the game was on the line, and he just
05:14 took the basketball to the three point line and says,
05:16 nobody can stop me getting to the rim.
05:18 Watch me get to the rim.
05:19 I'm either going to dunk it or get fouled, and away we go.
05:21 I need more of that from Anthony Edwards.
05:23 But he'll learn, and he'll turn up the gas pedal.
05:24 Because as I said, there's been multiple games where he's completely
05:27 taken it over in the playoffs.
05:28 Last night was one of those where you were waiting for him to take that mantle.
05:32 In the second half, he wasn't able to do so.
05:34 But now you decompress.
05:35 You have that game one loss.
05:37 Still game number two on your home court.
05:38 All is not lost here.
05:39 I expect a much better performance out of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
05:42 But again, we're not taking any credit away for the Dallas Mavericks.
05:45 It's hard to win on the road in the NBA.
05:47 It's really hard to win on the road in the Western Conference finals.
05:50 And they did the ultimate thing that you
05:51 need if you feel that you're the underdog in this series.
05:54 Win game number one and set the tone for that series.
05:57 Mavericks did that.
05:59 The Mavericks absolutely did that.
06:01 The duo for Minnesota did not.
06:03 12 of 32 from the four last night combined between Cat and Ant.
06:08 And Anthony Edwards was critical of his own singular performance
06:12 in game number seven in the Mile High City against the Nuggets.
06:15 Six of 24, two of 10 from deep.
06:18 He was five of 12 from three yesterday.
06:21 But 12 of his 16 field goal attempts coming from three,
06:26 five of his made six field goals also coming from deep.
06:30 Not necessarily the recipe for success for Anthony Edwards.
06:35 So Dallas entered this series.
06:37 As the series underdog, the Mavericks after taking that 1-0 series lead,
06:43 now the series favorite on that outright price
06:46 to win the Western Conference crown at minus 164.
06:51 Donnie, you said do not count out the Minnesota Timberwolves.
06:54 How come?
06:56 Because it's just the pedigree of this team to be able to lock and load.
06:59 And also, you saw the final score, 108-105.
07:02 You take a look at the superstars for the Mavericks.
07:04 They really performed well.
07:06 The superstars didn't perform well for the Timberwolves.
07:08 Once that pendulum swings, we'll get back in even here.
07:11 This is going to be 1-1 going back to Dallas.
07:13 I'm going to tell you that right now.
07:14 So wherever the best bets on the next game are, you know where I'm going.
07:17 T-Boys.
07:19 We got some best bets for the series prices as well up next.
07:22 The Dallas Mavericks have taken a 1-0 series advantage
07:26 in the Western Conference finals over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
07:30 The Mavs winning game number one, 108-105 outright
07:34 as a 4-1/2 point underdog, total of 206 and a hook.
07:37 Pre-game does go over.
07:39 The Mavericks entered the opening game of the WCF as a series underdog.
07:44 It was Minnesota, the series outright favorite on that series outright price,
07:49 minus 178.
07:51 Now it's Dallas that has the minus money number next to its name,
07:55 minus 164 for the Mavericks, now as your series outright favorite.
08:00 Anytime you take a game one on the road to start a series,
08:04 more than likely you are going to flip to that series favorite.
08:08 But Donnie, we've talked about this series
08:10 both before game number one last night,
08:12 and here we are following game number one on this Thursday morning.
08:16 We expect it to be competitive.
08:18 We expect it to probably go at least six,
08:20 maybe even the entire duration of seven games.
08:24 How does Dallas winning game number one change your outlook, if at all?
08:29 I don't know if it changes it all that much,
08:31 but then it sort of puts that emphasis here.
08:33 If you do think Dallas is going to win the series,
08:35 how did they win their previous series?
08:37 Game six at home.
08:38 If you're winning games on the road,
08:40 that means there's a chance for a game six in your own building.
08:42 You can actually close out the team that you're playing.
08:45 Now also, having said that, how is this going to play out?
08:48 We talked about this before the series.
08:50 You look at the Dallas Mavericks right now, minus 164 price.
08:52 And I said, if they went one-one split,
08:54 regardless of the one game one or game number two, the Dallas Mavericks,
08:57 they still would be a slight favorite returning back to their home court
09:00 for the series, just trying to play it out.
09:02 Because if it's one-one going back, Dallas is going to be favorite in game
09:05 number three and also game number four, barring any disastrous injuries
09:08 on both sides here, just contemplating it here.
09:10 So I'm not surprised that game number one and/or game number two
09:14 went to the Mavericks.
09:15 I do think the Timberwolves do win game number two.
09:17 But having said that again, for the original point, it sort of opens up.
09:21 I still think this is going seven.
09:22 I do.
09:23 But now, if you're looking from a Dallas Mavericks perspective,
09:25 for them to win in seven, that's not what Dallas wants.
09:28 Because that probably means they had a chance
09:30 to close it out in game number six and didn't take advantage of that.
09:33 So game number six, that plus 170 price that you're seeing now,
09:37 that's a direct shot from last night with the Dallas Mavericks winning
09:40 game one on the road, which means they have home court advantage, which
09:43 means they might be able to close out in game six.
09:45 So I understand where the price points are coming from here at FanDuel.
09:49 So as we entered the Western Conference Finals, games five and seven,
09:53 plus 220, game number six for this series to end in six games,
09:58 regardless of which team was victorious, advancing to the NBA finals
10:02 was the shortest price at two to one.
10:05 But Minnesota, to win this series in five,
10:07 was the shortest from the correct score market.
10:10 That's the team that wins it in how many games at plus 360.
10:14 Now Dallas, to win in six, is that shortest number at plus 330.
10:20 50 cents in front of Minnesota in seven at plus 380.
10:24 Pretty much all to say the markets now favor the Mavericks.
10:28 But I think my best bet here, DRS, I bet yesterday over in the over
10:33 under total games component for the Western Conference Finals, over five
10:37 and a half, the juice was heavy at minus 175.
10:40 I still think we see six.
10:42 And I still think Minnesota can win this series.
10:45 So I like the Timberwolves plus a game and a half on the series spread.
10:50 That gives you a couple of outcomes as you see that minus 114 number.
10:54 The Timberwolves can win the series outright,
10:56 or the Timberwolves can lose this series in seven games.
10:59 And Minnesota covers that series spread, now updated as the underdog.
11:04 Yeah, I'm going to thread that needle here.
11:06 Because again, I did think that the Minnesota Timberwolves would lose game
11:09 number one, but I still do think they're going to win this series, which
11:11 is kind of odd.
11:12 Because like, oh, no, no, no.
11:13 You want 2-0 series on your home court, and then you'll
11:15 deal with getting maybe a split in Dallas,
11:17 and you'll wind up winning it here.
11:18 So I'm not giving up on the Timberwolves.
11:20 They're too good here.
11:21 Their young superstar hasn't performed in the past two games,
11:23 but it showed me a lot.
11:25 When you go to Denver, and your best player
11:27 doesn't perform up to his capabilities, and you still win.
11:30 And you saw last night, a couple of your best players
11:32 didn't perform up to capabilities.
11:34 You still had a legitimate chance to win that game.
11:36 Just wait until those superstars do play to their capabilities,
11:40 and they'll be just fine.
11:41 There's no panic here.
11:42 And as you said, if now you're looking, you
11:44 should be happy that Minnesota lost game number one,
11:47 if you always like them to win the series,
11:49 because those price points been so much better this morning
11:52 than they were yesterday before the game tipped off.
11:55 And even before the series, we correlated the individual stars
11:58 on either side of the series outright price.
12:01 That remains the same for the WCF MVP.
12:04 And I would say, if you think Dallas wins this series
12:07 outright, Luka Doncic is winning the MVP award.
12:09 Kyrie Irving was sensational.
12:11 His best game of the postseason last night scored 30.
12:14 Luka still ended up with 33.
12:16 If the Dallas Mavericks win the Western Conference title,
12:19 Luka Doncic is going to win the Western Conference MVP.
12:23 You have my word.
12:24 If not, we can come up with some bet and something
12:26 I have to do here on the show.
12:28 If Dallas wins the Western Conference,
12:30 and Luka does not win the Western Conference finals MVP
12:35 award.
12:36 (upbeat music)
12:39 [BLANK_AUDIO]