Pushed by a Target Center in turmoil, the Wolves got off to the best start thanks to Jaden McDaniels' 3/3 3-pointer (21-12). The entry of Derek Lively II (9 points, 11 rebounds), who remains at the level of the screens against Anthony Edwards (19 points on 6/16 shots, 11 rebounds, 8 assists) or “switches” on the opposing star, makes Minnesota's offense stagnant. The Wolves remain silent for three minutes and Kyrie Irving (30 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists), ultra aggressive at the start of the match with 13 points, briefly gives the Mavericks the advantage (23-21). The locals, however, finished the first quarter with a 12-4 thanks to the duo Kyle Anderson – Naz Reid to take the lead (33-27).
While Luka Doncic (33 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds) wakes up, it is the duo Rudy Gobert – Jaden McDaniels who drives the point home. The Frenchman is active on the offensive rebound and in defense while the winger adds a 4th 3-pointer (41-32). With the exit of Gobert, it was Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic who ended more than three minutes without scoring for Dallas by attacking the circle but the 11th long shot of the half by Anthony Edwards kept the Wolves in front (62- 54). It takes five points in a row from Kyrie Irving to keep Dallas in ambush despite a 2/13 three-pointer (62-59)!
Luka Doncic, the boss of the end of the match
Little by little, the other Mavs enter their match. Doncic and Irving twice found Daniel Gafford (10 points, 9 rebounds) and PJ Washington (13 points, 7 rebounds) went for points on the free throw line to go in front (69-68). The Wolves respond immediately thanks to Karl-Anthony Towns (16 points, 6/20 shots) and Mike Conley (6 points, 2/7 shots) but the Doncic – Irving duo continues to make the defense pay by dropping Minnesota on pick & roll (77-77).
It takes seven points from Naz Reid (15 points) off the bench then another winning shot from Jaden McDaniels (24 points, 6/9 at 3-points) to give Minnesota the advantage at the start of the last quarter ( 89-84). Luka Doncic then responds by scoring 9 points to launch a 13-0 which cools the Target Center (97-89)! Passive in the second half, Anthony Edwards stopped the bleeding with a winning shot and an omnipresent Karl-Anthony Towns took over to complete a 13-1 which put the Wolves back in front with less than four minutes to play (102 -98).
Despite a winning shot, Anthony Edwards is on his knees and, like him, the Wolves lack lucidity. Opposite, Luka Doncic and PJ Washington score two 3-pointers in quick succession and Dallas gets back in front with 90 seconds on the clock (104-102). After an interception, Doncic avoids an alley-oop from Mike Conley for Rudy Gobert (12 points, 7 rebounds) and follows up with a mid-range shot to kill the game. Dallas announces the color from the start and regains home advantage!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Kyrie Irving set the tone, Luka Doncic finished the job. The Wolves had chosen to defend mainly in “drop” on the pick & roll to control the second knives of Dallas and the two stars responded. Kyrie Irving scored 24 of his 30 points in the first half, attacking the rim in abundance. Luka Doncic scored 15 of his 33 points in the last quarter, failing the Wolves' defensive strategy. He also took the upper hand in a one-on-one at the end of the match against Jaden McDaniels. Minnesota changed its defense late in the game, adding more two-and-dones. It will be interesting to see how the Wolves approach Game 2.
– The racket against the outside address. Dallas finished Game 1 at +24 in the paint (62-38, 63% shooting success). The Wolves dominated away, winning the 3-point battle by +36 (18/49 against 6/25). Minnesota had chosen to block the second knives of the Mavs and this strategy worked, with the duo Derrick Jones Jr – PJ Washington at 2/10 from afar, but the latter still managed to influence the match by gleaning decisive offensive rebounds (8 for the Gafford – Lively II duo), particularly when Rudy Gobert was on the bench.
– Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns in the tough. The Dallas defense succeeded in Game 1, limiting Anthony Edwards to 6/16 shots including 12 3-point attempts and Karl-Anthony Towns to 6/20 shots. Like against the Thunder, the Mavs closed the racket and were active. Like in the first half of Game 7 in Denver, Edwards was once again passive, carrying the ball too much instead of making quick decisions. He never managed to find his rhythm. Towns was more prominent but he was also surprised by the Mavs' rim protection. Both players and the Wolves will need to adapt to Dallas' style of defense.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
