The Golden State Warriors will host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at Chase Center on Wednesday night.

The Warriors had a tougher-than-expected series against the Memphis Grizzlies, but as soon as the Grizz lost their star point guard, Ja Morant, due to injury, it was clear the Warriors would find a way to advance to the Conference Finals. Golden State got past the Grizzlies by a 4-2 score in the series, and they had to work hard in Game 6 to avoid what could’ve been a decisive Game 7. Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 30 points, eight rebounds, two assists and three blocks, in 42 minutes, in that series-clinching win. Stephen Curry followed up with 29 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal, while Andrew Wiggins added 18 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and a steal. The Warriors shot 39 percent from the field, including 20-of-53 from long range. While the Warriors have had quality minutes and performances from their star players, they need to be better -- particularly on defense -- to slow down the Mavericks.

Undoubtedly, the Mavericks are the biggest surprise of the Conference Finals since they travelled to Phoenix and dispatched the top-seeded team in the league, the Suns, in Game 7 thanks to a masterful performance from Luka Doncic. Doncic led the Mavericks by tallying 35 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jalen Brunson collected 24 points, six rebounds and two assists. Spencer Dinwiddie led the bench with 30 points, three rebounds and two assists. Those three combined to shoot 34-of-51 from the field. No other player had more than six points, five rebounds or four assists. Playing against the Warriors can be a tougher challenge than the Suns due to their playoff pedigree and experience, however, and now it seems they’ll need to be at their very best -- again -- to book what would be the franchise’s first trip to the NBA Finals since 2011.