The all-stars of Dallas inflict significant damage on the Timberwolves.
To kick off the Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Mavericks clinched a victory on the Timberwolves' turf. First, Kyrie Irving went on a scoring spree against Minnesota, and then it was time for superstar Luka Doncic to step up. This win in an unfamiliar setting holds significant value for the Mavericks.
The Mavs have snatched the first victory in the playoff series against the Timberwolves, putting them ahead in the conference playoffs. Led by stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Dallas secured a 108-105 win in Minneapolis. The game was full of intensity, featuring a whopping 15 lead changes. Doncic and his 33 points, along with Irving's 30 points, were the key contributors to their triumph.
"We worked our butts off for this one, but it's just one win – we need three more," Doncic told TV station TNT. Highlighting Irving's stellar performance, he added, "Without him, we'd be toast. In the second half, I had to help him out, we traded roles this time." Irving responded, "It was an exciting game till the end, and that's what the rest of the series will be like." Irving notched up 24 of his 30 points in the initial half, while Doncic scored 15 of his 33 points in the final quarter.
A team needs to secure four wins in the best-of-seven series to progress to the NBA Finals. So, the Mavericks' away win comes as a crucial advantage. The second game will take place in Minneapolis again, followed by two games in Dallas. In the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers are set to face the Boston Celtics, who have a 1-0 lead in the series due to their home win.
The game in Minneapolis treated fans to an incredible showcase of skill throughout. Despite the Timberwolves pulling away by more than five points on multiple occasions in the first half, they failed to establish a commanding lead. It marked the Mavericks' first win in their opening game after five losses in the previous playoff series.
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Source: www.ntv.de
