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MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Dallas Mavericks cruised into the NBA Finals Thursday night after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103.

The Mavs’ victory was sealed by stellar performances from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who each scored 36 points in the blowout win.

Doncic’s all-around performance was instrumental in the Mavericks’ blowout win.

In addition to his 36 points, he secured a double-double with 10 rebounds while Irving, meanwhile, complemented his scoring with five assists.

Irving was also perfect from the free-throw line.

The Mavericks’ offensive onslaught was on full display at the Target Center in Minnesota as their ball movement and sharp shooting overwhelmed the Timberwolves from the start.

Dallas executed fast breaks and pick-and-rolls to perfection, creating numerous scoring opportunities and maintaining a relentless attack that left Minnesota unable to keep pace.

Doncic set the tone for the rest of the game, starting strong and going 4 for 4 from downtown.

 “He let his teammates know that it’s time and they’ve got to take it up a notch,” coach Jason Kidd said. “He sent the invites out, and they all came.”

With this victory, the Mavericks celebrated their Western Conference Championship and now set their sights on the NBA Finals.

The Mavericks will take on the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals to try and bring back a second championship to Dallas.

It has been 13 years since Dallas won its first NBA championship. Jason Kidd, now head coach of the Mavericks earned Dallas its first championship alongside Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves held off the Dallas Mavericks to stay alive in the Western Conference Finals, winning 105-100 to take game 4.

The Wolves survived elimination after stellar performances by Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns who both combined for a score of 54 points.

Edwards scored 29 points, nine assists, and 10 rebounds, while Towns finished the game with 25 points.

As it has been all series long, the Mavericks and the Wolves have gone back and forth in scoring.

Down the final five-minute stretch of each game, Minnesota has led but could never finish until game 4 in Dallas.

Luka Doncic finished the game with 28 points, 10 assists, and 15 rebounds while Irving scored just 16 points, Daniel Gafford had 10 points, and PJ Washington with 10 points.

Doncic shot just 7-21 from the field and made 4-11 three-pointers.

“That game’s on me. Just didn’t give enough energy,” said Doncic.

“They won one game. We’ve just got to focus on the next one.”

Towns came alive in the fourth quarter hitting two three-pointers in the final five minutes to give the Wolves the lead and a third put Minnesota up six with three minutes to go.

“He was super confident,” Edwards said. “He wasn’t worried about any shots previous to the shots that he hit tonight. He played exceptionally well.”

Dallas will now have to travel back to Minnesota for game 5 on Thursday to try and close out the series.

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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.

The Dallas Mavericks have once again reached the Western Conference Finals for just the second time since the 2011 championship season.

The Mavericks faced off against the Timberwolves, taking game 1 on the road defeating Minneapolis 108-105 in a close thrilling victory.

Game 3 and Game 4 will take place in Dallas at the American Airlines Center on Sunday, May 26, and Tuesday, May 28.

Dallas Mavericks fans, affectionately known as MFFLs (Mavs Fans For Life), are encouraged to show up early and wear blue to create a sea of support for their team.

Attendees will receive exclusive playoff merchandise, including “ONE FOR DALLAS” t-shirts, rally towels, and fan clappers, all sponsored by Chime.

Mavericks fans who wish to purchase additional Mavs playoff gear will be able to at The Hangar Fan Shop locations within the arena.

The team’s advancement to the Western Conference Finals has sparked excitement throughout the city igniting memories from the 2011 season.

Fans from all over the metroplex are eager to relive the glory days of 2011 and are hopeful that this year’s squad can replicate that success.

The Mavericks will host an exciting Game 2 Watch Party at Reunion Tower Lawn, on May 24, starting at 7 p.m.

The event will feature food trucks, giveaways, and a special halftime drone show.

Tickets are required for entry and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.

For more details about official Mavs watch parties, visit mavs.com/playoffs.

The Mavericks’ journey through the playoffs has already captured the hearts of many, and the home games are expected to be pivotal in their quest for another championship title.

The American Airlines Center is set to be a fortress of noise and electric atmosphere, as fans rally behind their team during these critical games.

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