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The Dallas Mavericks are within one game of reaching the NBA finals after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-107 in game 3.

The American Airlines Center came alive with an electric atmosphere as Mavs fans were decked out in blue Sunday night to cheer on Dallas as they went up three games over Minnesota.

It was a big game for both Mavericks superstars as Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving scored 33 points apiece.

“I feel like we’re both born for this if you ask me, but it’s just basketball, man,” Irving said.

“You got to give the game what it needs at times.”

PJ Washington scored 16 points while Derek Jones Jr added 11 points in Sunday night’s win over the Timberwolves.

Anthony Edwards led the way for the Wolves with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, Mike Conley finished with 16 points, Jalen Mcdaniels scored 15 points, and Karl Anthony Towns finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

In the fourth quarter, the Mavericks took a decisive lead off a tiebreaking 3-pointer from Washington with 3:38 remaining and never looked back.

From there Dallas went on a 14-3 run that had the crowd buzzing with excitement.

The Mavericks can punch their ticket to the NBA Finals on Tuesday night if they win game 4 at home.

The post Mavericks Take Game 3 at Home Against Timberwolves appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

The Dallas Mavericks are streaking in the Western Conference playoffs after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-108.

The Mavericks are headed back to Dallas up 2-0 on the Timberwolves with a chance to close out the series if they win the next two home games.

It was another close one in Minneapolis as Luka Doncic hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with just three seconds left in the fourth quarter to lift the Mavs over the Wolves.

Doncic hit the game-winning points over Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.

“I was just trying to get to my spot and step back. I’m confident in that shot,” said Doncic.

“As you’ve seen with Luka, he loves that stage. He doesn’t run from it,” said Mavericks coach Jason Kidd.

“I thought he was great the whole game, keeping guys together, his energy.”

Doncic finished with a triple-double, scoring 32 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists.

He was also perfect from the free throw line going 7 for 7.

Kyrie Irving scored 20 points with six assists while Daniel Gafford finished with 16 points, shooting 8-10 from the field.

Anthony Edwards finished with 21 points for the Timberwolves while Michael Conley scored just 18 points.

Rudy Gobert finished with a double-double, scoring 16 points with 10 rebounds.

Karl Anthony Towns finished with 15 points; however, Naz Reid went 7 for 9 from 3-point range, scoring 23 points off the bench for the Timberwolves.

Game 3 will be in Dallas as the Mavericks will have home-court advantage and look to go up 3-0.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

The post Luka Magic! Mavericks Take Game 2 in Thriller appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

MINNEAPOLIS – The Dallas Mavericks won a close one in Minnesota after defeating the Timberwolves 108-105 to take game 1 in the Western Conference Finals.

Luka Doncic led the Mavericks down the stretch dropping crucial buckets to help lift Dallas over Minnesota.

Doncic finished the game with 33 points, eight assists, and six rebounds with 15 of his 33 points coming in the fourth quarter.

Kyrie Irving wasn’t far from Doncic in scoring as he finished strong with 30 points, 24 of which came in the first half.

With 3:37 left in the fourth quarter, Dallas trailed 102-98 after a 3-pointer by Anthony Edwards but went on an 8-0 run before Minnesota stopped them with 10.5 seconds left.

Edwards garnered a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels scored a third straight 20-plus-point game with 24 points. 

 Karl-Anthony Towns went 6 for 20 from the floor, scoring 16 points.

For the first time in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Dallas has taken the first game in a series.

The Mavericks defense came alive to help them beat the Wolves.

Doncic had a crucial steal, breaking up a pass from Mike Conley with 1.06 left.

Game 2 will be in Minnesota on Friday night.

The post Mavericks take Game 1 in Minnesota appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

In front of an electrified crowd, the Dallas Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, moved past the Los Angeles Clippers with a decisive 114-101 victory, to reach the Western Conference semifinals.

Despite a challenging start due to Doncic’s knee issues, the Mavericks’ duo found their rhythm in the second half.

Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer this season, tallied 28 points and 13 assists, while Irving erupted for 28 points after the half.

Irving culminated a 30-point performance that left the Clippers searching for answers.

Paul George scored 18 points and garnered 11 rebounds for the Clippers.

However, the absence of Kawhi Leonard due to knee inflammation was felt as the team struggled to maintain their offensive firepower.

James Harden put up 16 points and 13 assists but only shot 5 of 16 from the field and missed all six of his 3-pointers.

Russell Westbrook was a nonfactor, as he only was able to put up six points.

The Mavericks’ win avenges their previous first-round loss to the Clippers, setting up a highly anticipated matchup against the top-seeded Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.

As the Mavericks celebrated their hard-fought win and prepared for the Thunder, it came at a cost: losing Maxi Kleber, possibly for the rest of the playoffs.

The reserve power forward/center suffered a third-degree dislocation of the AC joint of his right shoulder, according to ESPN.

The Mavs will open the Western Conference semifinals at the top seed, Oklahoma City, on Tuesday night, May 7.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.

The post Mavericks Send Clippers Packing, Advance to Western Conference Semi-Finals appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

Luka Dončić, the Dallas Mavericks star guard, has been awarded the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for April.

The Award honors Bob Lanier, an NBA League Office executive and NBA Cares Ambassador who had an enormous influence on the NBA family and young people globally.

Lanier taught the values of the game and made a positive impact through his kindness and generosity.

Dončić will receive the honor for his extensive efforts in supporting youth and communities.

He will be presented with the David Robinson trophy, and the NBA will donate $10,000 to the Luka Dončić Foundation.

The Luka Dončić aims to empower local heroes by fostering sports and active play opportunities for children.

Throughout April, Dončić actively engaged in community initiatives, collaborating with the Dallas Mavericks, his foundation, and non-profit organizations like Make-A-Wish.

“Basketball has given me so much, and I have a big responsibility to give back by helping wherever I can,” said Dončić.

“It means everything to me to keep growing my foundation’s work by supporting those leading amazing community projects, connecting with more young people and spreading more generosity and kindness. I hope we can make an even bigger impact next year.”

Notable efforts included hosting events such as gift giveaways, meet-and-greets, and children’s hospital visits, fulfilling the wishes of children facing serious illnesses.

Dončić has also hosted 50 students at the American Airlines Center for a Mavericks home game, providing tickets, transportation, meals, and personal meet-and-greets.

During the holiday season, he partnered with NERF and Jordan Brand to gift hundreds of students NERF basketball hoops, blasters, and signature merchandise.

Dončić’s contributions reflect his dedication to community service, earning him recognition from the NBA Cares program for his positive impact on local and global communities.

Dončić will be given with the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award during halftime of Game 4 of the Clippers-Mavericks NBA Playoffs game on Apr. 28.

Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont and Chief Executive Officer Cynt Marshall will present him with the award.

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