Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors: Three things to watch in West Finals

The Dallas Mavericks were not expected to be here. They were 15-17 at Christmas, then sitting as the eighth seed at the trade deadline when they shipped Kristaps Porzingis out in a move meant to provide financial flexibility this summer. Even after beating the Jazz in the first round of the playoffs, they were not favorites against the 64-win Suns in the second round. Yet here they are.

The Golden State Warriors expected to be here. A full season (mostly) of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, the return of Klay Thompson, plus the emergence of Jordan Poole gave the Warriors the sheen of their championship teams. However, in getting here past the Nuggets and Grizzlies in the playoffs, the Warriors have alternated between a team that looks like it could win a title and one that is sloppy and out of sync. If the Warriors are inconsistent against the Mavericks, then Golden State’s season ends before June.

The Dallas Mavericks vs. the Golden State Warriors have reached the Western Conference Finals in what should be a fascinating chess match. Here are three keys that could decide the series.

It’s easy to say the Warriors don’t have a good option to defend Doncic, but name a team that does. Doncic is close to unstoppable the way he has played this postseason. However, the Warriors’ best playoff lineup — with Poole, Curry and Thompson in a three-guard set — is undersized and Doncic will hunt those smaller players and feast. This is a rough matchup for the Warriors, especially with Gary Payton II and Andre Iguodala out, at least to start the series.

The Warriors’ historical pattern — dating back to dealing with Rockets’ era James Harden through matchup their playoff matchup with Jokic last month — is to switch everything on