With their backs to the wall, the Wolves started the match by “blitzing” the first four pick & rolls of Luka Doncic (33 points at 50%, 7 rebounds, 5 assists). The Mavs lose two balls on the first two, but PJ Washington (16 points, 8 rebounds) and Derrick Jones Jr. (11 points) hit from far away in the corners on the next two to put Dallas in front (11-6).
Despite another thunderous entry from Derek Lively II, Anthony Edwards (26 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists) and Minnesota hold their place. They are much more aggressive than in the first two matches (21-19). The 15 points from the Doncic – Irving duo, however, give the Mavs an eight-point lead, but their five lost balls keep the Wolves in ambush (33-28).
Naz Reid (14 points) confirms his good Game 2, but the long distance skill of the Dallas second knives punishes Minnesota. Josh Green and Derrick Jones Jr already score the 6th and 7th 3-pointers of the match for the Texans to put them at +10 (43-33). While Karl-Anthony Towns is 0/7 on shots, the offensive rebounds of Rudy Gobert (9 points, 6 rebounds) and Jaden McDaniels (15 points) prevent the Wolves from getting into trouble.
Kyrie Irving (33 points at 60%) and Luka Doncic, however, do not release the pressure. Despite the Wolves alternating their type of defense, the Mavericks give the impression of doing what they want. Only their errors keep the Wolves below ten points at the break (60-52).
Anthony Edwards wakes up Wolves
The Wolves start the third quarter with more precision on attack. Anthony Edwards' drives offer three winning shots to Mike Conley (16 points) and Jaden McDaniels, and a tap to Rudy Gobert. Edwards confirms his revival by pulverizing Daniel Gafford with a thunderous dunk! He scores eight points in a row and finishes a 15-3 which puts Minnesota in front (79-77)! This revival arrives without Derek Lively II on the field, hit in the neck by an involuntary knee from Towns.
The Mavs maintain the pressure by going for free throws and causing the 3rd and 4th fouls from Mike Coney, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels. Luka Doncic, Naz Reid, and Karl-Anthony Towns (14 points on 5/18 shots and 0/8 on 3-pointers, 11 rebounds) respond shot for shot and the two teams remain back to back before the last quarter. time (87-87).
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving undergo surgery
The Wolves continue their momentum but Kyrie Irving scores seven of Dallas' first ten points, while provoking McDaniels' 5th foul to respond (100-100). Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards, Kyle Anderson (10 points), and Kyrie Irving make four crazy baskets and the score remains tied with less than five minutes to play (104-104).
Money time starts with a 3-pointer from PJ Washington in the corner. The Wolves don't know it yet, but they will never go ahead again. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving score or make score their team's last 14 points while Edwards and Towns run out of juice again at the worst time. The Mavs therefore pocket Game 3 and, like Boston, are only one victory away from the NBA Finals!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Mavs were on cloud nine in the first half. After two home losses, the Wolves entered Game 3 with several adjustments to how they defend pick & rolls and how they assist. The best defense in the league tried everything. Blitz, drop, switch, 2-3 zone defense and nothing worked. The Mavs finished the first half with 60 points at 54% success and 47% from 3-point range. It all started from reading the game and the decision-making of the Doncic – Irving duo. Both stars showed patience and selflessness, trusting their teammates. Once the Wolves were in rotation, the Mavs were able to make the extra pass to find the open player and the linebackers responded. The Jones Jr – Washington – Green trio returned to the locker room at 5/8 at 3-points.
– Anthony Edwards, the detonator. With his back against the wall after a complicated first half, Anthony Edwards finally responded in the third quarter. He scored 10 of his 26 points, including eight in a row in the middle of the quarter which allowed the Wolves to pass a 15-3 against the Mavs to take the lead. More than his eight points, it was his dunk on Daniel Gafford that woke up his team and gave energy to his teammates. Karl-Anthony Towns suddenly got in tune with his leader, scoring 9 of his 14 points in the period.
– Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving still dominate money time. In Game 1, Minnesota led by 4 points with less than four minutes to play, Dallas finished the game with a 10-3 victory. During Game 2, Minnesota led by 5 points with a minute and a half to play, Dallas ended the game with a 6-0 victory. This night, never two without three. Minnesota led 104-102 with five minutes left, and Dallas finished Game 3 on a 14-3 run to win the game. What do each of these last quarters have in common? The dominance of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and the disappearance of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. This night, the Dallas stars scored 21 points at 8/10 on shots in the last twelve minutes compared to only 4 points at 2/7 on shots for “Ant” and “KAT”. In Game 2, it was 18-4 for the two Mavs, and 19-11 in Game 1. This is why Dallas is one win from the Finals and Minnesota is one loss from ending their season.
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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.
