@KeepTheJuice21 NBA Playoff Picks - 5/18

The Mavericks have obviously proven that they can win on the road. Their last game on the road at Phoenix was as dominant of a performance as we’ve maybe ever seen in a Game 7 matchup. And they did it against a 64 win team. Not many people gave the Mavs a chance but they’ve proven the doubters wrong. They’ve been the best team in the West this playoffs and they beat the next best. Look for the Mavs to prey on Warriors turnovers and play good efficient ball, to at least keep it to a one-possession game.

This is slightly speculative but looking at how the Mavs finished their series, it feels like a no brainer. The small-ball Mavs is the best roster combination they have, playing Kleber for extended minutes and both Luka and Brunson on the court. It’s what beat the Suns and it makes a lot of sense to play it against the Warriors, who have their own deadly small ball lineup. In that lineup, Wiggins ends up in the post A LOT. He’s a better rebounder than he gets credit for, averaging 7 per game in the Grizzlies series against much bigger guys. And that average could be a lot higher, he pulled down 8, 9, 10 and 11 in Games 1,2, 4 and 6 when featured in the small ball lineup. I’m not typically a prop bettor but this line is too good to pass up.