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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.

The post Mavericks Host Game 2 Watch Party with Halftime Drone Show 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.

With just 2.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Mavericks P.J. Washington sinks the game-winning free throws to send Dallas to the Western Conference Finals.

The Mavericks defeated the Thunder in an absolute game 6 thriller 117-116.

Dallas was down at the half to the Thunder 64-48.

But in the third, Mavs rallied from a 17-point deficit to eliminate the number 1 seed.

“Being down 17 in a closeout game isn’t a position you want to be in,” said Kyrie Irving speaking after the game.

“But that’s where we found ourselves. We had to respond the way we’ve been responding all season.”

Luka Doncic finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for his fourth triple-double this postseason, while Irving and Derrick Jones Jr. scored 22 points apiece for the Mavericks.

Washington finished with nine points including the game tie and go-ahead free throws. All nine points came in the fourth quarter.

“It wasn’t Luka or Kai making the game winner,” said Dallas coach Jason Kidd.

“It was the trust of Luka and the ball touches the paint, they collapse, he trusted P.J. We find a way to win.”

Dallas has now beaten the Clippers and the Thunder in the same manner of wins and losses this postseason.

OKC started the playoffs with an impressive 5-0 start before losing four out of five to Dallas.

For the second time in three seasons, Dallas is headed back to the Western Conference Finals and will play game 7 winner between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets.

The post Mavericks Advance to Western Conference Finals, Eliminates OKC appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.