The Warriors are 21-4 SU, 15-10 ATS in game 1's since 2012. With Kerr they are 20-2 SU, 12-10 ATS. The only two losses? Game 1 on the road in the NBA Finals vs Toronto in 2019 and in 2016 at home vs OKC in the semifinals. The question for many bettors going into tonight's game: Are the old Warriors finally back?
For me that's a bit hard to say. The shorthanded Grizzlies gave the Warriors all they could handle despite being finished in 6 games. There's no doubt in my mind that would've been 7 game series if a few bounces went Memphis's way but their inexperience late in the game costed them with some of their decisions. Game 5 was a good example and in game 6 Memphis had the lead for most of the game it was close and competitive for 6 minutes in the 4th quarter then Memphis just ran out of juice down the stretch. Final score was a bit misleading.
Now you got the Mavs who will be a much more formidable foe than the Grizzlies were. They have beaten the Warriors 3 out of 4 in the regular season. I know I know you're telling me Klay wasn't there for those 3 games and maybe 4 because he was rusty and just got back in their last matchup. A few things the Mavs got going for them that the Grizzlies were deficient at.. they got better 3 pt shooting, better 3 pt defense and they take better care of the ball. Warriors may not turn the ball over as much in this series as they did the last one because Mavs aren't as active and opportunistic on defense as the Grizz were.
Both these teams live and die by the 3 ball. the series will come down to who is making more of them. Grizz had a better 3 pt percentage in the last series over the Warriors but Warriors outshot the Grizz and made more of them despite being inconsistent from long range. Mavs take just as many 3 pt shots and have been draining them lately. I consider this a draw for now but Mavs are certainly closing the gap in these playoffs. Anyway that is my early synopsis for now. Picks shortly 
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