Mavericks defeat Timberwolves in Game 1 as Doncic and Irving Light Up Target Center
In the Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Mavericks started things off right away, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-105 in Game 1 on Wednesday to secure home-court advantage. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 63 points to lead the Mavericks past the resolute Timberwolves team, and their play was the driving force behind the victory.
With 14 lead changes during the game, the crowd at Target Center was kept on the edge of their seats the entire time. Anthony Edwards’ excellent shooting allowed Minnesota to get off to an early lead. By the end of the first quarter, their lead was 33–27. Irving led the Mavericks’ comeback attempt as they fought back in the second quarter. Despite a late three-pointer by Edwards that gave the Wolves a slim 62-59 lead at the half, the seasoned guard scored a game-high 24 points in the first half alone to put Dallas within striking distance.
The back-and-forth struggle persisted throughout the second half. After halftime, Doncic, the current MVP, demonstrated his supremacy by scoring 19 of his 33 points. Along with his impressive scoring ability, he demonstrated his all-around skill with eight assists, six rebounds, and three steals. Irving put on yet another impressive performance, scoring six more points to end the game with 30 points.
It was a tight chess battle in the last few minutes. A contentious call loomed large with one minute remaining and the score tied at 102. After a video review, Karl-Anthony Towns believed he had put back a missed three pointer for the Timberwolves, but the officials determined it was offensive goaltending. The Minnesota fans fiercely disputed the call, but it turned out to be a crucial one. Doncic took advantage of the change in momentum and made a big jump shot to increase the Mavericks’ lead to 104-102. The Timberwolves were never able to get possession back, and Dallas managed to hang on for a valiant win.
Even though Irving and Doncic led the Mavericks’ offensive attack, their supporting group made significant contributions as well. Down the stretch, Reggie Bullock’s hustle on the boards and defensive plays were vital, while Dorian Finney-Smith contributed timely three-pointers and strong defense.
The Timberwolves had a difficult time accepting the defeat. Edwards finished with a team-high 27 points as he carried on his fantastic postseason run. With a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds, Karl-Anthony Towns led Minnesota in turnovers (17) in crucial junctures. The Mavericks’ defense kept D’Angelo Russell, another important offensive weapon, in check as he only managed 15 points on a poor shooting night.
The Mavericks now hold a vital 1-0 series lead thanks to the victory. They will want to build on the momentum and take a dominating 2-0 lead in Game 2 when they return home. In the meanwhile, the Timberwolves will have to get back together and figure out how to provide offense that is more reliable outside of Edwards and Towns. With the series moving to Dallas, Minnesota will need to make some modifications in order to tie the game.
