Must-Win? Luka Doncic's Mavs vs. Warriors Game 3 Preview, Odds
DALLAS - The Dallas Mavericks look to climb out of a 0-2 series hole as they host the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 on Sunday night at the friendly confines of the American Airlines Center. Dallas looks to continue its excellence at home; The Mavs have won five consecutive home playoff games after dropping Game 1 to Utah in the first round.
In Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Friday, the Mavs lead by as many as 19 points in the first half but let it slip away, falling 126-117 to the Golden State Warriors.
Can the Mavs overcome bleak odds, again? Teams that go up 2-0 in a best-of-seven series go on to win the series 92.2 percent of the time. However, Dallas overcame a 2-0 hole in its previous series against Phoenix and will attempt to do it for the second straight time against the Warriors.
No team in NBA history has rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a series.
On the line? A trip to the NBA Finals, which would be Dallas' third time in franchise history.
LUKA MAGIC: Doncic's seven playoff games with 40 points ties Dirk Nowitzki for the most in Mavericks postseason history. It also is the second-most in history prior to turning 25 years old. Only LeBron James has more 40-point games prior to turning 25, with eight total games.
Harry How/Getty Images
Harry How/Getty Images
Harry How/Getty Images
RECORDS: DALLAS MAVERICKS (0-2) at GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (2-0)
WHEN: Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. CT
LOCATION: American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX)
TV/RADIO: TNT, BSSW, 97.1 The Eagle (KEGL)
INJURY REPORT: Tim Hardaway Jr. (left foot surgery) is out. Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins is questionable (ankle soreness).
Harry How/Getty Images
Harry How/Getty Images
Harry How/Getty Images
ODDS: The Mavs are currently 3-point favorites over the Warriors.
NEXT: The series stays in Dallas for Game 4 on May 24 at 8 p.m.
If necessary, Game 5 will be May 26 in San Francisco at 8 p.m., Game 6 in Dallas on May 28 at 8 p.m. and Game 7 in San Francisco on May 30 at 7 p.m.
LAST WORD: Coach Jason Kidd on finding a way back into the series:
“We've just got to do a better job closing out and rebounding. That's it. We've got to be more physical, and we've got to close out better and rebound the ball.”
