Biggest Game 1 takeaways between Mavericks and Timberwolves

4 months ago
15

The NBA's Western Conference finals got off to a dynamic start as the Dallas Mavericks took Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in a Minneapolis thriller on Wednesday.

Entering the fourth quarter trailing 83-82, the Mavericks rallied behind 15 of Luka Doncic's team-high 33 points in the final period to pull out a 108-105 win.

The game was close throughout as neither Minnesota's Anthony Edwards nor Doncic found much consistency during the first half. Kyrie Irving poured in 24 points in the first half, however, to keep Dallas in the game, before Doncic found his footing over the final two quarters.

The teams traded double-digit scoring runs, with the Mavericks establishing an eight-point lead following a 13-0 spurt, only to see the Timberwolves respond with a 10-0 burst to get back into the game. Dallas' defense responded and held Minnesota scoreless over three crucial minutes down the stretch of the fourth to close out Game 1 and steal home-court advantage.

Jaden McDaniels led the Wolves with 24 points, while Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns combined to go 12-for-36 from the field.

With the Mavs striking first, our NBA Insiders look at the biggest moments of Game 1, what adjustments can be made in Friday's Game 2 in Minneapolis (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT) and which role players will be key the rest of the way for each team.

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