By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
Notification Show More
Latest News
Tom Brady's Week 1 Power Rankings: Eagles or Bills at No. 1?
Tom Brady’s Week 1 Power Rankings: Eagles or Bills at No. 1?
Game Analysis NFL
Mark Sanchez Promises 'Raw, Unfiltered Look' at NFL in New Digital Show, 'Rearview'
Mark Sanchez Promises ‘Raw, Unfiltered Look’ at NFL in New Digital Show, ‘Rearview’
Game Analysis NFL
U.S. Men's Team Responds With a Pivotal Win Over Japan
U.S. Men’s Team Responds With a Pivotal Win Over Japan
Game Analysis
Kyle Schwarber Has a 50-Homer Season For First Time in Career
Kyle Schwarber Has a 50-Homer Season For First Time in Career
Game Analysis
Aaron Judge's 359th Homer Passes Yogi Berra for 5th Place on Yankees List
Aaron Judge’s 359th Homer Passes Yogi Berra for 5th Place on Yankees List
Game Analysis
Aa
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Reading: Luka Doncic’s late 3-pointer lifts Mavs, puts T-wolves in 2-0 hole
Share
Aa
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Search
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
BigPaulSports > Blog > Game Analysis > Luka Doncic’s late 3-pointer lifts Mavs, puts T-wolves in 2-0 hole
Game Analysis

Luka Doncic’s late 3-pointer lifts Mavs, puts T-wolves in 2-0 hole

BigP
Last updated: 2024/05/25 at 5:47 AM
BigP Published May 25, 2024
Share
Luka Doncic's late 3-pointer lifts Mavs, puts T-wolves in 2-0 hole
SHARE

Luka Doncic hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with Rudy Gobert guarding him at the top of the key with 3 seconds left, posting his fifth triple-double of the playoffs to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 109-108 victory and a 2-0 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals on Friday night.

Doncic had 32 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for his eighth triple-double in 42 career postseason games for the Mavericks, who erased an 18-point deficit that stood late in the second quarter and were still down 16 midway through the third.

Naz Reid went 7-for-9 from 3-point range for 23 points, but his last try at the buzzer rimmed in and out to send the Wolves to Dallas for Game 3 on Sunday in a big hole after another off night by stars Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Kyrie Irving had 13 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including a corner 3-pointer with 1:05 left that pulled the Mavericks within two. Then the Wolves sandwiched turnovers around a missed shot by Doncic. Edwards recklessly threw the ball out of bounds off a drive with 13 seconds left, giving the Mavericks the ball with the chance to win.

ADVERTISEMENT

Doncic took the inbounds pass and dribbled to set up a screen by Dereck Lively II that triggered a switch by the Wolves, with NBA All-Defensive second-team pick Jaden McDaniels dropping with Lively’s roll and Defensive Player of the Year Gobert staying out on the top of the key.

After the swish, Doncic flexed his arms and yelled at the stunned crowd as his teammates swarmed him.

The lead for either side was three points or less from 10:50 remaining to 1:29 until Edwards — who had 21 points but is shooting 11-for-33 in the series — sank two free throws for a 108-103 edge. That came right after Irving missed both foul shots that had the crowd howling in honor of the promotion that awards a free Chick-fil-A sandwich.

Mike Conley scored 18 points and Gobert had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolves, who needed Reid — the NBA Sixth Man of the Year — more than ever. His top-of-the-key swish at the end of the third quarter gave the Wolves an 86-79 cushion just after the Mavericks closed the gap with a 21-7 spurt — mostly while Conley rested — over a 6:36 stretch.

Irving, who scored only five points in the first half after he had 24 of his 30 in Game 1 before halftime, gave the Mavericks their first lead since 7-6 with a 3-pointer to cap an 8-0 run that started the fourth quarter and made it 87-86.

Doncic, who flourished in the fourth quarter of Game 1 to finish with 33 points, has been fighting through what the Mavericks have listed on the league’s official injury report as a sprained right knee and left ankle soreness.

When he was subbed out late in the first quarter, Doncic jogged straight to the locker room before returning to the bench prior to his next shift. After running the floor for a fast-break layup late in the second quarter, Doncic was laboring and limping on the way back. He shot 5-for-14 before halftime.

The beauty of the 25-year-old Slovenian superstar’s game is that he hardly needs a full-strength spring in his step to dominate. He had Minnesota’s league-leading defense looking out of sorts on so many possessions with his laser-like passing.

The Wolves were blistered by the coaching staff for their effort and execution between games, and they stayed true to their form as a strong bounce-back team from the few times they’ve fallen flat this season. Conley had the offense running crisply and craftily whenever he was initiating.

When he wasn’t, though, the Wolves often got out of hand. Edwards forced a lot of shots and didn’t appear to have much of a plan when he had the ball. McDaniels, who had 20-plus points in each of the last three games, didn’t make a basket until midway through the third quarter.

Towns and Gobert were especially aggressive on offense early after the Wolves got eaten up in the paint, but they were still vulnerable on defense underneath as the Mavericks had their way with the persistent lobs to Daniel Gafford (16 points) and Lively (14 points).

Towns had 15 points on 4-for-16 shooting and gave way to Reid down the stretch.

Reporting by The Associated Press.


recommended


National Basketball Association

Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more


in this topic

Sponsored Content

You Might Also Like

Tom Brady’s Week 1 Power Rankings: Eagles or Bills at No. 1?

Mark Sanchez Promises ‘Raw, Unfiltered Look’ at NFL in New Digital Show, ‘Rearview’

U.S. Men’s Team Responds With a Pivotal Win Over Japan

Kyle Schwarber Has a 50-Homer Season For First Time in Career

TAGGED: nba
BigP May 25, 2024
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Youtube Subscribe
Telegram Follow
newsletter featurednewsletter featured

Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    Popular News
    18 Buffs into portal in post-spring practice exodus
    NCAASports News

    18 Buffs into portal in post-spring practice exodus

    BigP BigP April 25, 2023
    Browns’ Phillips has torn pec, ruled out for season
    GM: Bears ‘open-minded’ about top overall pick
    NFL scouts pick 10 sleepers for the 2024 draft: Who is flying under the radar this summer?
    49ers All-Pro OT Williams holding out over deal
    - Advertisement -
    Ad imageAd image

    Categories

    • Sports

    About US

    We offer information and tips on US Sports and evernts all over the world.
    Top Categories
    • Game Analysis
    • Free Picks
    • Services
    • Premium Content

    Subscribe US

    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

      © Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.

      Removed from reading list

      Undo
      Welcome Back!

      Sign in to your account

      Lost your password?