NBA Playoffs 2023-24: Mavericks Dominate Wolves for 3-0 Lead in Western Conference Finals
NBA Playoffs 2023-24 Showdown: The Dallas Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, took a commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals with a 116-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.
After Anthony Edwards stole the ball, Luka Doncic rushed for it, knocking it far enough away to start a scramble that resulted in a jump ball that the Dallas star won.
The Mavericks are one victory away from making their first trip to the NBA Finals in thirteen years after making all the big plays once more, on both ends of the court.
Dereck Lively II, a rookie center, suffered an inadvertent hit to the back of the head from Karl-Anthony Towns’ knee, resulting in a sprained neck. Despite this setback, the Mavs went on to win their fifth straight playoff game with a 14-3 final.
In the NBA playoffs, no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit. Dallas will host Game 4 on Tuesday night.
Doncic remarked, “We just say one more, we need one more.” Nothing was accomplished. They have an incredible crew, thus nothing has been done thus far. We must obtain one more, and in the event that we do, the remaining ones are required.
The crucial sequence began with a corner 3-pointer by P.J. Washington, following a pass from Doncic to Irving, who then passed it to Washington. From there, the co-stars took control.
With 34 seconds remaining, Doncic found Daniel Gafford for an alley-oop slam that gave the team a 113-105 lead. Irving then enthralled the audience with a falling-down jumper. Doncic then made a shot in the lane to take a four-point lead. On the other end, Gafford stopped Mike Conley’s effort at a layup.
Doncic remarked, “That just makes us better because they’re trying to double me and double Kai the entire game.” “Everyone plays, everybody touches the ball. That’s a fantastic victory. You know, we execute when we get to the stretch.
Edwards led the Wolves with 26 points, but that came just four minutes after Minnesota had tied the game with eight straight points from him in the third quarter.
Edwards remarked, “I never think the sky is falling.” “I’m always upbeat and joyful. I’ve been through the works, therefore I won’t see the stars. Towns had 14 points but missed all eight of his three-pointers, one of which came with 1:25 left in the game and the deficit at four points.
With five minutes remaining, Kyle Anderson’s floater gave Minnesota a 104-102 lead. However, Minnesota, who could not hold leads of 18 points in the first half or five points in the final ninety seconds of Game 2, missed seven straight attempts.
“You need to strive to score in tandem with them,” Wolves head coach Chris Finch stated. We’ve had trouble closing games throughout the entire series. We’re losing these three-minute games that we’re playing.
Doncic shot 10 of 20 and 5 of 11 from outside the arc, including the game-winning 3-pointer that placed Dallas well in control of the series in the closing seconds of Game 2 in Minnesota.
Also Read: NBA Playoffs 2023-24: Celtics Dominate Pacers to Claim 3-0 Lead in Eastern Conference Finals
Irving, who won the 2016 NBA Championship with Cleveland alongside LeBron James, finished with 12 of 20 points and 3 of 6 from long range. He scored 14 points in the fourth quarter.
The Mavs are the closest they’ve been to the NBA’s grandest stage since the big German led them to their sole championship, with 2011 NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki watching from center court.
Edwards was 11 of 24, but he only attempted three shots and only made two in the fourth quarter. Nine rebounds and nine assists were recorded by the 22-year-old sensation, who has expressed weariness during the series.
Edwards declared, “At this point, we can’t be anything but optimistic.” “We cannot be pessimistic. Aim for one victory at a time.
During the second quarter, Lively was in close proximity to Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, who were sitting courtside as quarterback and tight end, and took some of the same kind of contact that is typically found on football fields.
The unintentional hit caused the Duke rookie’s head to snap forward, but he remained on the floor cradling it. After being unconscious for a few minutes, Lively seemed stunned as he was wheeled off the field and led to the locker room.
In the second quarter, Towns was going for an offensive rebound when his knee struck Lively in the head, and Lively went down as Mike Conley was driving for a missed shot.
The 20-year-old Lively and the starting Gafford were instrumental in Dallas’ 2-0 victory. In the series, Lively is 12 of 12 from the field, with three makes in Game 3.
