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Luka Doncic Dominates 4th Quarter in Dallas Mavs' WCF Game 1 Win vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Luka Doncic Dominates 4th Quarter in Dallas Mavs' WCF Game 1 Win vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Three Better Than Two: Mavs Need Outside Shooting Uptick in Game 2 vs. Timberwolves: Playoffs Preview

The Dallas Mavericks play the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Here's everything you need to know about the matchup.

In this story:

Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves

"We're going to take whatever you give us" is about as cliche as it gets from a sports standpoint. Although Jason Kidd provided a rather commonplace sports mantra in Game 1's media availability, he was right that the Dallas Mavericks made the Minnesota Timberwolves pay by destroying their drop coverage defense. However, in Game 2, Dallas improving its 3-point stroke will stretch Minnesota even further. 

While the Mavericks dominated the Timberwolves 62-38 in terms of points in the paint, they won the game despite shooting 6-25 from the three-point line. Typically, such a shooting dip would bury a team in the current era. However, the Mavs got what they wanted in the paint, and Luka Doncic capitalized on mid-range shots.

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Furthermore, Rudy Gobert couldn't escape the risk of a modern team running a drop defense, especially with the half-court maestro Doncic on the court. When Gobert stepped up to crash on Doncic, a wide-open Daniel Gafford or Dereck Lively II would eat on easy dunks. Or, if Doncic didn't feel like passing, he'd have a relatively easy look near the free throw line, shooting over the smaller defender. 

As good a sign as it was for Dallas to win despite shooting such lowly numbers from the perimeter, it can't bet on such recurring fortune. Of the 25 three-point attempts, only six were open looks. Seemingly by Minnesota's design, most of the three-point shots came from the top of the key. Since the Mavericks missed the open looks, they essentially left 36 points off the board.

While it was a close Game 1, Dallas' shooting was subpar, but it still managed to dominate in the fourth quarter. Although a sweep is likely out of the question, the tone of this series could be different if the Mavericks find their stroke from outside in Game 2.

Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Injury Report

Minnesota Timberwolves

  • Mike Conley (QUESTIONABLE - right soleus)

Dallas Mavericks

  • Luka Doncic (PROBABLE) - right knee; left ankle)
  • Maxi Kleber (OUT - right shoulder)
  • Olivier-Maxence Prosper (OUT - left ankle)

WHERE: Target Center (Minneapolis, MN)

WHEN: Friday, May 24, 2024, 7:30 p.m. CT

TV: TNT

ODDS: The Mavericks are 5.5 underdogs to the Timberwolves

FINAL WORD: For the first time in the Jason Kidd coaching era, the Mavericks won a Game 1 in the playoffs. Typically, Dallas has to play from behind, exerting costly energy. However, with a seemingly rejuvenated Doncic and a motivated Kyrie Irving, Dallas has a real chance to go up 2-0 on the best defense in the league.