After the Boston Celtics secured a 3-0 lead against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Mavericks replicated the feat against the Timberwolves. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving both poured in 33 points, propelling Dallas to a 116-107 victory. The first quarter was fiercely contested, with neither team establishing a significant lead. The Timberwolves narrowed the Mavericks’ lead to 23-21 after Naz Reid sank two free throws with 3:17 remaining. However, the Mavericks responded with a 10-2 run, ending the quarter with a 31-23 advantage, their largest of the period. Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s buzzer-beating three cut the Mavericks’ lead to 33-28.
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Photo Cred: Mavs Moneyball
Dallas surged ahead by eight points early in the second quarter. They came courtesy of consecutive threes from Josh Green and Derrick Jones Jr., extending their lead to 41-33 with 9:14 left. They maintained control throughout the half, leading by as much as 12 points. At halftime, the Mavericks held a 60-52 lead, with Irving and Doncic contributing 14 and 15 points, respectively. Jaden McDaniels impressed for the Timberwolves with an efficient 12-point performance on 5-6 shooting, including 2-2 from beyond the arc. In contrast, Karl-Anthony Towns struggled, managing only five points on 2-10 shooting, including 0-5 from three.
The Timberwolves narrowed the gap to within five points until an 8-0 run, capped by a Naz Reid three-pointer, gave them their first lead since the early stages of the game at 79-77 with 3:54 remaining in the third quarter. Both teams exchanged baskets for the remainder of the period, heading into the fourth tied at 87-87 following a two-point shot by Dallas’ Jaden Hardy. The fourth quarter remained tight until the 2:16 mark, but the game turned with 3:21 left. After Reid converted one of two free throws to cut the Mavericks’ lead to 107-105, Dallas went on an 11-2 run in the final three minutes to secure the win.
Photo Cred: Star Tribune
The Timberwolves struggled during this stretch, going 0-5 from the field with one turnover. Both teams shot well overall, with the Mavericks shooting 55.9% and the Timberwolves shooting 50.6%. However, Dallas had a significant advantage from beyond the arc. They shoot 14-28 compared to Minnesota’s 9-30. Despite this, the Timberwolves dominated inside the paint with 50 points compared to the Mavericks’ 40, and also tallied more assists, with 26 to Dallas’ 19.
The Timberwolves despite having home-court advantage as the 3rd seed are in danger. Karl-Anthony Towns struggled with his three-point shooting, going 4-32 over the past five games. Anthony Edwards was the lone Minnesota player to score over 20 points, tallying 26 points on 11-24 shooting overall, but was 0-2 from three. Mike Conley Jr. was efficient, scoring 16 points on 6-11 shooting overall and 4-7 from beyond the arc. Naz Reid contributed 14 points on 5-10 shooting overall, but only 1-5 from three.
The Mavericks appear poised for their first Finals appearance since 2011, led by the efficient offense of Doncic and Irving. Irving has scored 83 points in the series against the Timberwolves, shooting 52.5% overall and 43.8% from three, while Doncic has contributed 98 points, shooting 46.4% overall and 40.6% from beyond the arc. Additionally, role players PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II have provided quality contributions throughout the series. For the Timberwolves, their first appearance in the Western Conference Finals since 2004 may be short-lived. Historically, NBA teams leading 3-0 in a seven-game series have never lost, boasting a record of 154-0. Only four teams have managed to force a Game 7 after trailing 3-0.
