Mavericks vs Timberwolves
The NBA’s Western Conference finals began with a bang as the Dallas Mavericks secured a thrilling victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
Trailing 83-82 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Mavericks surged ahead, thanks to Luka Doncic, who scored 15 of his game-high 33 points in the final period, leading Dallas to a 108-105 triumph.
The game was a nail-biter, with neither Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards nor Dallas’ Doncic finding much rhythm in the first half. Kyrie Irving, however, stepped up with 24 points before halftime, keeping the Mavericks competitive until Doncic found his stride in the latter part of the game.
Both teams exchanged significant scoring runs. The Mavericks built an eight-point lead with a 13-0 run, but the Timberwolves quickly answered with a 10-0 burst to close the gap. In the final minutes, Dallas’ defense held Minnesota scoreless for three crucial minutes, sealing the win and snatching home-court advantage.
Jaden McDaniels was the leading scorer for the Timberwolves with 24 points, while Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns struggled, combining for 12-of-36 from the field.
With Dallas taking the early lead, our NBA Insiders discuss the key moments of Game 1, possible adjustments for Game 2 on Friday in Minneapolis (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT), and the role players who might impact the series going forward.
Mavericks vs Timberwolves
1. What is your biggest takeaway from Game 1?
Tim MacMahon: The Mavericks are breaking new ground, winning a Game 1 under coach Jason Kidd for the first time in six attempts. Doncic and Irving, who had a relatively quiet second-round series, alternated in carrying the team. Irving’s 24 first-half points kept Dallas within reach, and Doncic’s 15 fourth-quarter points, along with critical defensive plays, sealed the win.
Dave McMenamin: This series promises to be long and competitive. The Timberwolves showed that small lapses could make a big difference. Towns’ offensive goaltending with 1:41 left and Mike Conley’s lob to Rudy Gobert, intercepted by Doncic with 1:06 remaining, were crucial mistakes. Even with these errors, Minnesota had a glimmer of hope when Conley drew a 3-point shooting foul with under two seconds left. Unfortunately, he missed the second free throw, ending their comeback chance. Minnesota’s 11-for-18 free throw shooting contrasted sharply with Dallas’ 16-for-17 performance.
Brian Windhorst: The experience of Doncic and Irving in high-stakes games was evident compared to Edwards and Towns, defining Dallas’ Game 1 victory. Irving’s early scoring kept the Mavericks on pace, while Doncic’s late-game heroics secured the win.
2. What is one big adjustment we could see in Game 2?
MacMahon: The Mavericks should increase rookie Dereck Lively II’s minutes in their center rotation. While changing the starting lineup might be drastic, especially with the series lead, Lively’s impact has been undeniable. The Mavs are plus-106 with him on the floor in the playoffs and minus-62 with Daniel Gafford.
McMenamin: The Timberwolves slowed down significantly in the second half, scoring just 43 points compared to 62 in the first. Towns and Edwards highlighted the need for more fast-break points. Edwards also criticized himself for allowing Irving to beat him down the court after a made basket. Expect Minnesota to speed up their game in Game 2.
Windhorst: Dallas has made their strategy clear: clog the paint and challenge Minnesota to beat them with outside shooting. This approach forced Edwards and Towns to work hard for space, especially inside. In the first half, the Timberwolves shot 11-of-25 from three-point range but cooled off to 7-of-24 in the second half. This defensive strategy proved effective, and it’s likely to continue.
3. Who will be a key role player for each team going forward?
MacMahon: P.J. Washington, the Mavericks’ surprise star of the second round, struggled from beyond the arc in Game 1 but hit a crucial corner three and played tough defense on Towns, who shot 6-of-20 from the field. If Towns can’t find his rhythm, it will be challenging for the Timberwolves.
McMenamin: Jaden McDaniels played a significant role in Game 1, particularly in the first three quarters. Defensively, he limited Doncic to 4-of-12 shooting when guarding him. Offensively, McDaniels scored 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting. However, he faded in the fourth quarter, going 1-for-3 with two turnovers. McDaniels needs to maintain his impact throughout the game for Minnesota to succeed.
Windhorst: Mike Conley’s veteran presence and organizational skills are crucial for the Timberwolves. His calming influence was missed in crunch time of Game 1. Any lingering effects from his Achilles tendon injury will be critical to monitor, as his leadership is vital for Minnesota’s chances moving forward.
MINNEAPOLIS — Throughout Game 1, the Dallas Mavericks had the most influential players on the floor in Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. The duo took turns dominating, with Irving excelling in the first half and Doncic taking over in the fourth quarter, proving too much for the Timberwolves.
This victory marks the first time in three years the Mavericks have won a Game 1 in the playoffs, a fact not lost on coach Jason Kidd. “This is something we don’t normally do,” he admitted, emphasizing the significance of the win, especially on the road against a strong opponent.
Here are five takeaways from the Mavs’ 108-105 victory in Game 1:
1. Irving sets the tone: With much of the Mavericks’ roster inexperienced at this stage, Irving stepped up. Scoring 24 of his 30 points in the first half, he kept Dallas in the game. Doncic acknowledged Irving’s impact, saying, “Without him, we probably would’ve been down 20 at halftime.”
Irving’s experience and poise were crucial, and he embraced the challenge, even welcoming Anthony Edwards’ eagerness to guard him. “It’s one of those exciting matchups I look forward to,” Irving said, showcasing his competitive spirit.
By providing leadership and performance, Irving set the stage for the Mavericks’ victory and demonstrated why he is a vital player for Dallas in their quest for success in the Western Conference finals.
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Mavericks vs. Timberwolves FAQs:
1. How did the Dallas Mavericks manage to win Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves?
The Dallas Mavericks won Game 1 by relying on strong performances from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Irving scored 24 of his 30 points in the first half to keep the Mavericks competitive, while Doncic took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 of his 33 points and making crucial defensive plays to secure a 108-105 victory.
2. What adjustments can the Minnesota Timberwolves make for Game 2?
For Game 2, the Timberwolves can focus on increasing their pace, especially in transition, to exploit the Mavericks’ defense. They struggled with only 12 fast-break points in Game 1. Additionally, improving their three-point shooting consistency and avoiding critical mistakes in the final minutes will be key.
3. Who are the key role players to watch in this series?
For the Mavericks, P.J. Washington’s defensive efforts and timely shooting will be crucial. He was instrumental in defending Karl-Anthony Towns in Game 1. For the Timberwolves, Jaden McDaniels’ defensive versatility and offensive contributions will be important, as he needs to maintain his impact throughout the game
