The NBA Western Conference Finals got off to an eventful start as the finals got underway Dallas Mavericks won game 1 with Minnesota Coyote in a horror movie in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
Entering the fourth quarter trailing 83-82, the Mavericks rallied behind 15 Luka Doncichighest team 33 points in the final stage to withdraw won 108-105.
The game was close throughout as neither Minnesota had any Anthony Edwards Doncic also didn’t find much stability in the first half. Kyrie Irving Still, scored 24 points in the first half to keep Dallas in the game, before Doncic found his footing in the final two quarters.
The teams traded double-digit scoring, with the Mavericks taking an eight-point lead after jumping out to a 13-0 lead, only to see the Timberwolves respond with a 10-0 burst to get back on track. match again. Dallas’ defense responded and held Minnesota scoreless for three crucial minutes of the fourth quarter to end Game 1 and claim home-field advantage.
Jaden McDaniels led the Wolves with 24 points, while Edwards and Karl-Anthony Town combined to go 12-for-36 from the field.
With the Mavs featured first, our NBA Insider takes a look at the biggest moments of Game 1, what adjustments can be made in Friday game 2 in Minneapolis (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT) and which players’ roles will be key the rest of the way for each team.
1. What was your biggest lesson from Game 1?
Tim MacMahon: The Mavericks were in uncharted territory, winning Game 1 for the first time under coach Jason Kidd in six tries. Dallas’ star duo of Doncic and Irving – coming off a fairly quiet second series by their standards – took turns carrying Dallas in the opener. Irving scored 24 of his 30 points in the first half to keep the Mavs within striking distance. Doncic assumed the closer role, scoring 15 of his 33 in the fourth quarter and making some clutch defensive stops.
Dave McMenamin: In a long and competitive series of games, the Timberwolves showed that failing to do the little things can make a difference. With 1:41 left in Game 1, Towns was called for an offensive goal; 1:06 left, Mike Conley‘s lob arrives Rudy Gobert was stolen by Doncic. Despite those critical mistakes, the Wolves still found a glimmer of hope when, down four points with less than two seconds left, Conley fouled a 3-point shot. To give Minnesota a chance, he had to make the first two free throws, then intentionally miss the third to create a scoring opportunity. He missed his second chance, thwarting any chance of a long-range comeback. The Wolves were down 11 to 18; The Mavs went 16-for-17.
Brian Windhorst: You could sense the big-game experience of Doncic and Irving versus Edwards and Towns, and that became the defining storyline in Dallas’ Game 1 win. Irving proved that early, keeping the Mavs on pace while Minnesota barely missed. Meanwhile, Doncic proved that late with a stellar individual scoring effort.
2. What is one big adjustment we could see in Game 2?
MacMahon: It’s time for the Mavs to adjust their center rotation to tilt more minutes toward rookies Lively Derek II. Changing the starting lineup would be too drastic at this point, especially with a lead in the series, but it’s impossible to ignore that the Mavs are plus-106 with Lively on the floor in the playoffs and minus-62 with Daniel Gafford in the lineup.
McMenamin: The Wolves slowed down in the second half, scoring only 43 points compared to 62 points in the first two halves. After the defeat, Towns and Edwards lamented Minnesota’s meager 12 fast break points. Edwards also blamed himself for allowing Irving to beat him on the court after a basket by the Wolves. Minnesota looks ready to step up in Game 2.
Wind horse: The Mavs have announced their game plan: They will pack the paint and dare Minnesota to beat them with their outside shot. Dallas wants to put multiple bodies between Edwards, Towns and the rim. Edwards had to work extremely hard to create space for himself throughout Game 1, and Towns had no space when he was inside. In the first half, the Wolves led 11/25 in 3s. In the second half, Dallas’ strategy began to pay off as Minnesota went 7-of-24 from deep, and Edwards and Towns were a combined 12-of-36 from the field. It’s a winning formula.
3. Which player will be the biggest X-factor for the rest of the series?
MacMahon: PJ Washington, the Mavs’ surprise star in round two. He struggled from 3-point range for much of the opener, but he hit a corner 3 in Game 1. He was also the primary defender for Towns, who had the 6/20 from the floor. If the Towns cannot keep up with the trend, it will be difficult for the Timberwolves to win this series.
McMenamin: Jaden McDaniels. It’s hard to ask for more than what he gave in game 1, especially in the first three quarters. Defensively, Doncic shot just 4-for-12 with McDaniels as the primary defender. Offensively, McDaniels scored 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting. But the fourth quarter was a different story: Doncic shot 4-for-7 against McDaniels, while McDaniels went 1-for-3 with two turnovers. Although he has faded of late, McDaniels continues to leave his mark on both ends for the Wolves.
Wind horse: Mike Conley. It is difficult to predict any lingering effects from his Achilles tendon injury, but the Wolves desperately need his attacking organization and calming influence in the long term. Conley’s presence was not felt during the crunch of Game 1, a key point for the Wolves moving forward.
