Mavericks and Timberwolves Set for Series-Opening Clash
The Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Wednesday night in Game 1 of their Western Conference Finals series.
The Mavericks (8-4 postseason) just wrapped up their second straight six-game series victory on Sunday, disposing of the Oklahoma City Thunder by a 117-116 score on Saturday night. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with a 29-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included two steals. Derrick Jones and Kyrie Irving generated matching 22-point efforts while adding four rebounds and three assists, respectively. Dereck Lively contributed a 12-point, 15-rebound double-double that included three assists, one steal and one block.
The Mavericks will list Doncic (knee/ankle) as probable for Wednesday's game. Maxi Kleber (shoulder) is likely to remain out.
The Timberwolves (8-3 postseason) followed up a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the first round with a memorable comeback victory in seven games over the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the semifinal round. Minnesota won both Games 6 and 7, the latter by a 98-90 score on Sunday night. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels co-led the Timberwolves with 23 points, with each also recording two steals and a block apiece and pulling down 12 and six rebounds, respectively. Anthony Edwards furnished 16 points, eight boards, seven assists and two steals. Rudy Gobert supplied 13 points, nine rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal. Naz Reid contributed 11 points, four rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Mike Conley turned in 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The Timberwolves come into Wednesday's game without any injuries to report.
Wednesday's game marks the fifth meeting between the teams since the start of the regular season. The Timberwolves have won three of their first four games.
The Mavericks (8-4 postseason) just wrapped up their second straight six-game series victory on Sunday, disposing of the Oklahoma City Thunder by a 117-116 score on Saturday night. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with a 29-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double that included two steals. Derrick Jones and Kyrie Irving generated matching 22-point efforts while adding four rebounds and three assists, respectively. Dereck Lively contributed a 12-point, 15-rebound double-double that included three assists, one steal and one block.
The Mavericks will list Doncic (knee/ankle) as probable for Wednesday's game. Maxi Kleber (shoulder) is likely to remain out.
The Timberwolves (8-3 postseason) followed up a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the first round with a memorable comeback victory in seven games over the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the semifinal round. Minnesota won both Games 6 and 7, the latter by a 98-90 score on Sunday night. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels co-led the Timberwolves with 23 points, with each also recording two steals and a block apiece and pulling down 12 and six rebounds, respectively. Anthony Edwards furnished 16 points, eight boards, seven assists and two steals. Rudy Gobert supplied 13 points, nine rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal. Naz Reid contributed 11 points, four rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Mike Conley turned in 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The Timberwolves come into Wednesday's game without any injuries to report.
Wednesday's game marks the fifth meeting between the teams since the start of the regular season. The Timberwolves have won three of their first four games.