Wolves vs Mavs: Schedule, Where to Watch; Who's the Underdog and Who's the X-Factor for Each Team?

The top two seeds of the Western Conference have been bounced.

The Dallas Mavericks took care of business against the top-seed Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Minnesota Timberwolves stunned the league with their 20-point comeback win against the defending champions Denver Nuggets.

A new champion will be crowned, and the Mavs and the Wolves are four wins away from reaching that stage.

Read more: What Offseason Moves Can the Thunder Make to Become Championship Contenders?

The question now is, who between the two are the favorites in this series after being the undergo in their respective assignments in the Western Conference semi-finals?

The series will start on Wednesday, May 22, at the American Airlines Center. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. ET.

The Mavs are slight underdogs

Current betting odds for the Wolves-Mavs series have Luka Doncic and company as slight underdogs.

Several bookies peg them to win Game 1 at +150 with +4 on the final score.

The Wolves have the Mavs' number this season. Jason Kidd is 3-7 on the road against Minnesota, a record that dates back to when he was still coaching the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks in the East.

He is 5-1 on the Wolves' turf as part of the Mavs.

The teams have a big problem with the Wolves. The Nuggets and Mike Malone had their hands full in the last two weeks.

The combination of Rudy Gobert, Karl Athony-Towns, and Naz Reid was too much for Nikola Jokic.

The Mavs' focal point of offense is different. The ball goes to and through Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

They will need everything they can get from rookie Dereck Lively and PJ Washington, especially with the continued absence of Maxi Kleber, who never played a game against the Thunder due to a shoulder injury.

Kidd confirmed his center remains doubtful for the Wolves series.

"Still out," Kidd said. "Looked good today. He looked good on the treadmill.

"We've done it already in one series (playing without Kleber). We're going to have to do it again until he comes back. But that gives other guys the opportunity to step up and we truly believe everyone in that locker room is going to hold it together until he gets back."

As for the Wolves, the momentum is with them after doing what seemed impossible.

The Nuggets were virtually indestructible all season, but coach Chris Finch threw everything at the reigning champs.

Jokic and his partner Jamal Murray may have scored a combined 69 points but got nothing from the bench.

X-Factor for each team 

Dallas Mavericks - There is a significant need to step up for the Mavs. Rookie Lively was fearless against Thunder, although he will need to do more since he will be going up against a veteran in Anthony-Towns this time.

Daniel Gafford was also effective in the last series, but he will face a new challenge, especially on offense, since Gobert, Towns, and Reid are waiting for him on the block.

Minnesota Timberwolves - Jaden McDaniels was adjudged the MVP of the Nuggets series by Edwards.

He contained Murray, played the lanes, and was an immutable presence everywhere on the court. He will be busier against the Mavs with Irving and Doncic's tandem.

Related article: Timberwolves Star Anthony Edwards Fulfills 'Most Historic Game 7' Promise With Insane Stat

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