Mavericks vs Timberwolves NBA Game 1 Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (5/22): Western Conference Finals Begin

Today's Mavericks vs. Timberwolves NBA Western Conference Finals Game 1 predictions and best bets are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from the NBA playoffs to the UFC odds and everything in between.

The NBA Western Conference Finals get underway on Wednesday as the Dallas Mavericks are set to pay a visit to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a Game 1 showdown at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Western Conference Finals begin tonight.
Who you got?! 👀

🍿 @DallasMavs vs. @Timberwolves
📺 8:30pm/et | TNT and @SportsonMax pic.twitter.com/4aIiW7howc

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 22, 2024

The Mavericks were in control for the majority of the second round, eliminating the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves need all seven matchups to send the defending champion Denver Nuggets to their offseason.

Can Dallas continue to defy expectations? Or will Minnesota take one step closer to reaching the NBA Finals?

Tonight's Game 1 is filled with betting opportunities and I'm here to help. Here's a look at my Mavericks vs. Timberwolves predictions and best NBA bets for this evening.

Mavericks vs Timberwolves NBA Betting Tonight (5/22)

Mavericks vs Timberwolves Game 1 Information

• Matchup: No. 5 Dallas Mavericks vs. No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves (Series tied 0-0)
• Venue & Location: Target Center (Minneapolis, MN)
• Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
• Game Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Game 1: TNT

Timberwolves vs Mavericks NBA Game 1 Betting Odds & Spread

Timberwolves vs. Mavericks NBA odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Wednesday, May 22 at 11:15 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Mavericks vs Timberwolves Spread

• Dallas Mavericks +4 (-105)
• Minnesota Timberwolves -4 (-115)

Timberwolves vs Mavericks Over/Under

• Over 206.5 Points (-115)
• Under 206.5 Points (-105)

Mavericks vs Timberwolves Moneyline

• Dallas Mavericks (+160)
• Minnesota Timberwolves (-180)

You might also like: NBA Eastern and Western Conference Finals Odds & Predictions

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NBA Best Bets and Picks Today

Looking to get in on even more NBA picks tonight? Check out our NBA Picks page for consensus picks for every 2023-24 playoff game.

You can also check out:

• NBA betting odds
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• How to bet on the NBA
• 2023-24 NBA Finals Prediction & Dark Horse Pick
• 2024 NBA MVP Odds & Picks

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Mavericks vs Timberwolves NBA Betting Trends

• Dallas is 1-6 straight up in its last seven road games vs. Minnesota.
• Minnesota is 10-4 straight up in its last 14 home games.
• Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its last five road games.
• Minnesota is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games.
• The total hit the Under in eight of Dallas' last 10 games vs. the Northwest Division.
• The total hit the Under in seven of Minnesota's last nine games vs. Dallas.

Mavericks vs Timberwolves Game 1 Predictions & NBA Picks Today (5/22)

While the Western Conference Finals are familiar territory for one team, it's a foreign experience to the other. After all, this series marks the Mavericks' second WCF appearance in three postseasons whereas the Timberwolves haven't reached the NBA playoffs' third round in 20 years.

Both teams have relied upon their superstar players to reach this point of the postseason. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have both been great for the Mavericks. Despite playing banged-up, Doncic is averaging 27.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.1 assists while Irving has produced a 21.1 PTS/5.4 AST/4.0 REB stat line while shooting 48.2% from the floor and 44.0% from deep.

Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards has been the Timberwolves' best player by far, leading his teammates with a 28.9 PPG clip while also averaging 6.2 rebounds and 5.9 helpers. Karl-Anthony Towns (18.8 PTS, 9.3 REB) and Rudy Gobert (12.2 PTS, 10.9 REB) have been doing their part, too.

Nevertheless, you could argue that Minnesota has the better scoring depth. While the T-wolves have seven players averaging at least 9.0 PPG in the playoffs, the Mavs only have four.

Can the Mavericks overcome the Timberwolves deep lineup?

The Mavericks and Timberwolves previously collided four times during the 2023-24 regular season with the results favoring the latter. Minnesota went 3-1 SU against Dallas, picking up each victory by at least eight points. Two of those victories also came at Target Center, including a massive 121-87 win back in January.

In fact, the Mavericks are only 4-8 SU in their last 12 meetings with the Timberwolves dating back to May 2021. What's even worse is that Dallas has dropped six of its last seven trips to Target Center, being outscored by an average of 11.3 PPG.

The Timberwolves will mostly be at full strength tonight, however, Mike Conley is questionable with an Achilles injury. He only missed one game in the last round, though, so chances are that he suits up tonight.

As for the Mavericks, Maxi Kleber (shoulder) and Olivier-Maxence Prosper (ankle) are still out of the lineup. Doncic is still dealing with his knee and ankle injuries, however, he's listed as 'probable' to play.

Dallas Mavericks Injury Report Game 1 WCF vs. Minnesota Timberwolves:

Luka Doncic – probable (right knee sprain; left ankle soreness)
Maxi Kleber – out (right shoulder; AC separation)
Olivier-Maxence Prosper – out (left ankle sprain)

— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) May 21, 2024

Even though regular-season success doesn't always equate to postseason results, I'm taking the Timberwolves to win. Minnesota dominated Dallas throughout the regular season and even though the stakes are higher now, the former's success at Target Center can't be ignored.

With that in mind, let's also back the T-wolves to cover the spread. Again, the Timberwolves beat the Mavericks by at least eight points three times this season and 5-3 ATS in the last eight clashes between these franchises in Minneapolis. I see this game going back and forth early on before Minnesota eventually pulls away in the second half.

Mavericks vs Timberwolves NBA Game 1 Prediction: MIN wins

BestMavericks vs Timberwolves NBA Bet: MIN -4  (-115)

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Best Mavericks vs Timberwolves NBA Game 1 Prop Bet (5/22)

While a lot of attention is (rightfully) on the superstar players, I'm going with the Over on Naz Reid's 9.5-point total (-136) for the best Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Game 1 prop.

Reid has been one of the Timberwolves' more consistent contributors this postseason. The ex-LSU Tiger is averaging 10.4 points through the first 11 playoff games, finishing with the Over on this prop seven times. Interestingly enough, the Over is also 5-2 in his last seven outings.

Reid also tends to step up his game when facing the Mavericks. He's finished with 10-plus points in five of seven career meetings with Dallas, which includes going 3-1 while averaging 15.8 PPG on .537/.560/.500 splits during the 2023-24 regular season.

You just can't go wrong with this prop.

Best Mavericks vs Timberwolves Game 1 Prop Bet: Naz Reid o9.5 Total Points (-136)

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Mavericks vs Timberwolves Western Conference Finals Schedule

• Game 1: @ Target Center — Wednesday, May 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
• Game 2: @ Target Center — Friday, May 24 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
• Game 3: @ American Airlines Center — Sunday, May 26 at 8 p.m. ET (TNT)
• Game 4: @ American Airlines Center — Tuesday, May 28 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
• Game 5: @ Target Center — Thursday, May 30 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
• Game 6: @ American Airlines Center — Saturday, June 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
• Game 7: @ Target Center — Monday, June 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)