Luka Doncic led a strong finish for the Dallas Mavericks, swishing crucial shots down the stretch, drawing a couple of fouls and even playing strong defense after they clinch a 108-105 win over the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Mavericks might not be the favorites in yet another series, but they stole home-court advantage from the Minnesota Timberwolves with this promising start.
Doncic had 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and Kyrie Irving scored 24 of his 30 in the first half to lift the Mavericks to a 108-105 victory over the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Wednesday night.
Dallas had a 62-38 advantage in points in the paint to offset a 6-for-25 shooting performance from deep.
Doncic says they made important ones, as he scored seven straight points over 63 seconds early in the fourth quarter to fuel a 13-0 run by the Mavericks for a 97-89 lead.
The Mavericks trailed 102-98 after a 3-pointer by Anthony Edwards with 3:37 left, before an 8-0 run the Wolves didn't stop until a tip-in with 10.5 seconds to go.
For the first time in six tries under coach Jason Kidd, the Mavericks won the first game of a playoff series.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch says terrible offense down the stretch with bad shots, turnovers, and no composure
Finch says they have got to be better in clutch moments.
Minnesota hosts Game 2 on Saturday at 12.30pm.
Source: ESPN
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