The Dallas Mavericks are on the cusp of reaching their first NBA finals since 2011 after a thrilling Game 3 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were in top form as they combined for 66 points to lead the Mavericks to a 116-107 win, giving them a commanding 3-0 series lead in the NBA Western Conference final. The victory came after the Mavericks narrowly won Games 1 and 2 in Minneapolis.
The game in Dallas on Sunday was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading the lead multiple times in the fourth quarter. However, it was the star duo of Doncic and Irving who stepped up in the crucial moments, leading a decisive 12-3 scoring run to secure the win.
With Game 4 set to take place in Dallas on Tuesday, the Mavericks will have their first opportunity to close out the series and secure their spot in the NBA finals.
‘We need one more’
Despite their 3-0 series lead, Luka Doncic emphasized that the Mavericks cannot afford to be complacent. “We need one more,” he said. “They have an amazing team, so nothing’s done.”
Doncic and Irving were the stand-out performers for Dallas, each scoring 33 points in the game. Doncic also contributed seven rebounds and five assists, while Irving showcased his clutch gene by scoring 14 points in the crucial fourth quarter.
PJ Washington made a significant impact for the Mavericks, hitting a crucial three-pointer that gave Dallas the lead for good at 107-104 with just over three minutes remaining in the game. Defensive standout Daniel Gafford also played a key role for Dallas with three blocked shots, including a highlight-reel rejection on Mike Conley.
On the other side, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 26 points, but struggled to score in the fourth quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns had a quiet final period, missing all four of his shot attempts.
The winner of the Mavericks-Timberwolves series will face the victor of the Eastern Conference final between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. The Celtics currently hold a 3-0 lead in the series.
Doncic credited the Timberwolves’ defensive strategy of double-teaming him and Irving for motivating the Mavericks’ offense to step up. “They’re trying to double me the whole game, trying to double Ky, so that just makes us better,” he said. “Everybody touches the ball, everybody plays, and man, it’s an amazing win.
“We come down to the stretch and we execute.”