The Dallas Mavericks are seemingly on top of the world after sending the Suns packing for the offseason. It was an impressive effort in the series, especially in the dominant 123-90 Game 7 victory. This is a massive disappointment for the Suns after their 64-18 regular-season record and incredible overall season. The blowout loss is set to have some potentially disastrous results for the Suns as they have some serious reflecting to do moving forward.

This is not the concern of the Mavericks as they will now face off against the Golden State Warriors in the Conference Finals. This is a difficult matchup for any team. The Warriors are loaded with offensive firepower and a roster that knows how to win. The Mavericks will need a focused effort from start to finish if they hope to advance to the NBA Finals. With so much at stake, here are three bold predictions for what to expect in the Mavs-Warriors' Western Conference Finals showdown.

3 Mavericks' bold predictions for 2022 Western Conference Finals vs Warriors

3. Luka Doncic scores 40+ points at least twice

You can’t get very far when talking about the Mavs without mentioning Luka Doncic. The 23-year-old has put on a masterclass throughout the playoffs and appears to have no plans of stopping. Doncic has already scored over 40 points eight times in his playoff career. This type of effort will likely be needed against the offensive firepower of Golden State, and Doncic can be counted on to deliver.

This will be the biggest stage of Doncic’s career but he has proven ready at every moment thus far. He clearly took the matchup with the Suns personally and almost singlehandedly took the team down. Both the Suns and Doncic scored 27 points at halftime during Game 7. The unreal individual production seems unsustainable, but it is tough to doubt the Slovanian based on how he has performed thus far.

2. Frank Ntilikina plays 20+ minutes per game

If the Mavericks hope to find success in this series, they are going to have to do it on the defensive end. This was an important adjustment against the Suns and must continue against the Warriors. One adjustment that has been made by Jason Kidd in the last series was giving Frank Ntilikina an extended chance.

While Ntilikina has some offensive deficiencies, his 7’1 wingspan and active hands are impactful. The former 8th overall pick saw his longest extended run in Game 6 when he played just over 21 minutes of game time. He made use of his solid footwork and active hands by tallying 4 steals and a block in this game. He has not been relied on heavily throughout the year but is a defensive X-factor for Dallas. The defensive side of the ball will be incredibly important against the Warriors and allowing Ntilikina to wreak havoc on the Warriors' guards would benefit the Mavs greatly.

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1. Dallas will attempt more 3-pointers than Golden State

The Golden State Warriors have revolutionized basketball with their 3-point abilities over the past few years. This has continued to be the case with their new death lineup. While the Warriors will surely launch their fair share of 3-pointers, the Mavericks should be expected to match this effort.

During the regular season, the Warriors ranked third in the NBA with 39.2 3-point attempts per game. The Mavericks were not far behind them with 37.8 long-range attempts. Since the postseason began, the Mavericks have made these shots even more of a priority. They have led the NBA in 3-point attempts this postseason with 40.3 3PA per game. This 49.8% 3-point frequency and 38.5% team 3-point percentage are impressive marks for the team. Expect the Mavericks to continue with this long-range attack and capitalize on these opportunities. The gravity that Luka Doncic demands creates open looks for others and the Mavericks have done a great job taking advantage.

This will be an interesting matchup to watch. The Warriors are a nightmare to match up with and have a roster full of proven winners. Regardless, the Mavericks seemingly have a team of destiny feeling to them that is tough to doubt. This series will tip-off on Wednesday with the Mavs considered significant underdogs in the clash.