2022 NBA Playoffs - Betting Tips for Saturday's Game 1 matchups

Jump ahead: Game of the night | Picks and props | Analytics edge

Losing Luka: The Mavericks will be without Luka Doncic for Saturday's matinee matchup with the Jazz. Jalen Brunson sees his usage and assist rates swell to star levels whenever Doncic is off the floor. The Villanova product has averaged 22.1 points and 7.5 assists per 36 minutes with Doncic off the court this season, compared to 18.4 and 5.4 with him on. In addition to Brunson, scoring microwave Spencer Dinwiddie has shined in such scenarios; his usage rate spikes a team-high 9.1% to go with an uptick of 13 DraftKings points per 36 minutes with Doncic off the floor. Center Dwight Powell, on the other hand, sees his scoring clip dip significantly whenever Doncic isn't on the court.

Steph Effect: Steve Kerr joked Stephen Curry is not playing 38 minutes in Saturday's return from a foot injury, but wouldn't go into specific limitations for his superstar guard. A notable outcome of Curry's likely return is how extreme Jordan Poole's splits prove with his teammate this season. The Most Improved Player candidate has averaged 25.1 points, 5.8 dimes and 10.3 3-point attempts per 36 minutes with Curry off the court, but his rates dip to 18.2, 3.5 and 7.6 when they share the floor. If Curry can return to form, it's relevant that Denver has ceded 50.2 DraftKings points per game to point guards this season, fourth most in the league.

Point Forward: Without a true traditional point guard, the Toronto Raptors often disperse distribution duties between a few key playmakers. Forward Pascal Siakam has been particularly dominant against the 76ers this season, posting his third career triple-double in a victory just a few weeks back. Serving as a creator for Toronto against a