Basketball - Dallas Mavericks news

• OKC ‘D’ was a puzzle Mavericks could not solve in Game 1

  08-05-2024 20:23 via mavs.com
  
  OKLAHOMA CITY – If the Mavericks are going to have to knot this Western Conference semifinals at a win apiece on Thursday, they’re going to have to learn a lot from what ended up being a blowout loss in Game 1.
  At the top of the priority list is creating better shots. You can’t shoot 34 percent in the second half and expect to win a road playoff game.
  Was the OKC defense at least partly responsible? You bet.
  But the Mavericks didn’t help their own cause. They didn’t
  
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• Mavericks bracing for ‘incredible weapons’ in NBA Finals

  31-05-2024 23:41 via mavs.com
  
  The Western Conference championship trophy in one hand and the MVP trophy for the conference finals in the other, Luka Dončić showed a little bit of his inner Dirk Nowitzki after closing out the Minnesota Timberwolves.
  It was 13 years ago when Nowitzki hopped over the scorer’s table at American Airlines Center and skittered out of the arena when the Mavericks had beaten Oklahoma City and reached the NBA Finals, where they would play, and beat, Miami.
  He didn’t want to talk
  
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• Road-hog Mavericks knew Luka was going to wear out Wolves

  31-05-2024 18:08 via mavs.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS – As Luka Dončić rapidly scored 12 points in the first 3½ minutes of Thursday’s Game 5 at Target Center, Daniel Gafford’s head was processing a thought that was equal parts pity and amazement.
  Pity for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Amazement at a special talent like Luka.
  “I knew it was going to be a long night for whoever was in front of him,” the Mavericks’ center said. “I set a screen, got him downhill – I thought I se
  
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• Trip to NBA Finals represent redemption for Kyrie Irving

  31-05-2024 08:49 via mavs.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS – For Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, Thursday was a night of redemption. A night to exhale.
  The last time Irving played in the NBA Finals was 2017 when his Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Golden State Warriors in five games. Since then, Irving spent two seasons with the Boston Celtics and three-and-a-half seasons with the Brooklyn Nets before the Mavs secured his services in a trade on Feb. 6, 2023.
  And because the Mavs were able to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 124-10
  
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• Mavericks shred Wolves, roll into the NBA Finals

  31-05-2024 04:57 via mavs.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS – For the third time in the Mavericks’ 44-year history, they are headed to the NBA Finals.
  And for the first time, Luka Dončić will be showcasing his massive skills on basketball’s biggest stage.
  Judging by Thursday night, he’s more than ready.
  The Mavericks made quick work of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals, thanks to their superstar guards, Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
  Dončić outscored Minnesota
  
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• Mavericks shred Wolves, roll into NBA Finals

  31-05-2024 04:57 via mavs.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS – For the third time in the Mavericks’ 44-year history, they are headed to the NBA Finals.
  And for the first time, Luka Dončić will be showcasing his massive skills on basketball’s biggest stage.
  Judging by Thursday night, he’s more than ready.
  The Mavericks made quick work of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals, thanks to their superstar guards, Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
  Dončić outscored Minnesota
  
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• Luka and Co. shred Wolves as Mavericks roll into NBA Finals

  31-05-2024 04:57 via mavs.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS – For the third time in the Mavericks’ 44-year history, they are headed to the NBA Finals.
  And for the first time, Luka Dončić will be showcasing his massive skills on basketball’s biggest stage.
  Judging by Thursday night, he’s more than ready.
  The Mavericks made quick work of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals, thanks to their superstar guards, Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
  Dončić outscored Minnesota
  
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• Game 5 preview: Mavericks hopeful that Lively returns

  30-05-2024 03:35 via mavs.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS – The Mavericks won’t know for sure about the availability of Dereck Lively II until close to gametime on Thursday, but what is certain is that they dodged a bullet.
  When the back of Lively’s head collided sharply with Karl-Anthony Towns’ knee, the gasp inside American Airlines Center spoke volumes.
  It looked bad. Could have been a concussion. Could have been a serious neck or head injury.
  Thankfully for Lively, it appears to have been none of the above.
  A nec
  
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• Was Game 4 simply a matter of Mavs’ shooters not being makers?

  29-05-2024 21:53 via mavs.com
  
  What we have here in the Western Conference finals is a prime example of the oldest and most accurate description of the NBA.
  It’s a make-or-miss league.
  On Tuesday in Game 4, the Minnesota Timberwolves made. The Mavericks missed.
  That’s an oversimplification, of course. There are many reasons why the Wolves made 53 percent of their shots and a disturbingly strong 46 percent from three-point range (11-of-24).
  A Mavericks’ defense that perhaps was a fraction out of sync. A brief
  
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• Timberwolves had solid defensive performance against Mavs

  29-05-2024 21:43 via mavs.com
  
  While he showed up for the first time in this series on Tuesday, Minnesota forward Karl-Anthony Towns decided to pause to pay homage to the Timberwolves’ defense for their sterling performance against the Dallas Mavericks.
  It was that stern defense which was the backdrop to the Timberwolves’ stunning 105-100 victory over the Mavs in Game 4 of this best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
  “I just love the aggression we played with,” Towns said. “You could tell we had
  
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• Hardy’s highlight dunk illustrated his growth in Mavs’ playoff run

  29-05-2024 06:23 via mavs.com
  
  With the Mavericks plugging away and working to cut into a Minnesota lead in the third quarter, Jaden Hardy thought the team – and the crowd – could use a little jolt.
  So he sized up the Wolves’ Kyle Anderson as he crossed midcourt, saw that there wasn’t much help coming defensively and decided to attack.
  A couple dribbles later, Hardy got airborne and with a little double-clutch as he slid by Anderson, threw down the dunk of the game to get the Mavericks within 73-71.
  Co
  
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• Towns heats up, powers Timberwolves to 105-100 win over Mavs

  29-05-2024 06:01 via mavs.com
  
  Karl-Anthony Towns broke out of a shooting slump Tuesday night, and his performance meant the Minnesota Timberwolves have lived to see another day.
  Towns scored 25 points and snatched five rebounds as the Timberwolves stayed alive in the Western Conference Finals by scoring a surprising 105-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. After blowing a chance to sweep this series, the Mavs now lead this best-of-seven series, 3-1, with Game 5 slated for Thursday at 7:30 p.m. i
  
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• Towns broke out of slump to lead Timberwolves to 105-100 win over Mavs

  29-05-2024 06:01 via mavs.com
  
  Karl-Anthony Towns broke out of a shooting slump Tuesday night, and his performance meant the Minnesota Timberwolves have lived to see another day.
  Towns scored 25 points and snatched five rebounds as the Timberwolves stayed alive in the Western Conference Finals by scoring a surprising 105-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. After blowing a chance to sweep this series, the Mavs now lead this best-of-seven series, 3-1, with Game 5 slated for Thursday at 7:30 p.m. i
  
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• Towns break out of slump in leading Timberwolves to 105-100 win over Mavs

  29-05-2024 06:01 via mavs.com
  
  Karl-Anthony Towns broke out of a shooting slump Tuesday night, and his performance meant the Minnesota Timberwolves have lived to see another day.
  Towns scored 25 points and snatched five rebounds as the Timberwolves stayed alive in the Western Conference Finals by scoring a surprising 105-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. After blowing a chance to sweep this series, the Mavs now lead this best-of-seven series, 3-1, with Game 5 slated for Thursday at 7:30 p.m. i
  
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• Edwards scored 29 in leading Timberwolves to 105-100 win over Mavs

  29-05-2024 06:01 via mavs.com
  
  Anthony Edwards scored 29 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and distributed nine assists in leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a stunning 105-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night at American Airlines Center.
  With the win, the Timberwolves avoided getting swept and now trail this Western Conference Finals best-of-seven series, 3-1. Game 5 will be Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. in Minneapolis.
  Luka Dončić picked up a triple-double and led the Mavs with 28 points, 15 rebounds
  
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• Championship voices from 2011 supporting Mavericks

  29-05-2024 04:51 via mavs.com
  
  It’s been 13 long years since the Mavericks were in the NBA Finals.
  But the core of the group that brought home the championship in 2011 hasn’t forgotten what it’s like. And they have been there to support Jason Kidd and this new generation of Mavericks.
  Kidd said before Game 4 of the Western Conference finals Tuesday that he spent a part of Monday night at Dirk Nowitzki’s house, enjoying the camaraderie and giving his brain a break from endless film and strategizing sess
  
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• Mavs need one more win to reach their third NBA Finals

  28-05-2024 03:36 via mavs.com
  
  With nothing but respect in mind, the Dallas Mavericks want everyone to pump the brakes a little bit.
  After Sunday’s 116-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, the Mavs have a commanding 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. No team has bounced back from such a deficit to win a best-of-seven series in the history of the NBA.
  While the odds are obviously stacked in the Mavs’ favor that they’ll advance to
  
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• Lively doubtful for Game 4 against Timberwolves; Kleber upgraded

  28-05-2024 01:09 via mavs.com
  
  The Dallas Mavericks have listed rookie center Dereck Lively II as doubtful for Game 4 of their Western Conference Finals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a sprained neck.
  Lively was injured early in the second quarter of Game 3 of this best-of-seven series on Sunday when the back of his head inadvertently collided with the right knee of Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns as Lively was falling on the court. Lively laid on the floor for over five minutes before he walked to the
  
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• Dereck Lively II listed as doubtful for Game 4 against Timberwolves

  28-05-2024 01:09 via mavs.com
  
  The Dallas Mavericks have listed rookie center Dereck Lively II as doubtful for Game 4 of their Western Conference Finals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a sprained neck.
  Lively was injured early in the second quarter of Game 3 of this best-of-seven series on Sunday when the back of his head inadvertently collided with the right knee of Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns as Lively was falling on the court. Lively laid on the floor for over five minutes before he walked off th
  
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• Irving helps squash Wolves in Game 3, then quells ‘greatest’ talk

  27-05-2024 22:15 via mavs.com
  
  Jason Kidd opened the can of worms.
  Kyrie Irving welded the top back on. Or at least put it in Tupperware until further notice.
  The subject was the Mavericks’ backcourt and where it ranks in history with Irving and Luka Dončić forging greatness on pretty much a nightly basis in the playoffs.
  “There’s a debate out there: is this the best backcourt in NBA history,” Kidd said Sunday night as the Mavericks went ahead 3-0 in the Western Conference finals with a 116-1
  
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• Lively suffers neck sprain during win over Timberwolves

  27-05-2024 06:58 via mavs.com
  
  As Dallas Mavericks backup center Dereck Lively II laid on the court for about five minutes Sunday night, the American Airlines Center crowd was obviously concerned about the health of the rookie from Duke.
  And when the video was played on the Jumbotron showing Lively’s head awkwardly made contact with the right knee of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns as Lively was falling to the floor, a loud gasp could be heard throughout the arena. The concern level was even higher whe
  
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• Mavericks on the brink of NBA finals after whipping Wolves, 116-107

  27-05-2024 04:41 via mavs.com
  
  You may have heard that, when he heard that Charles Barkley hadn’t been to Minnesota in years, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards said “Bring ya ass.”
  That quickly became a battle cry for the Wolves in their first trip to the Western Conference finals in 20 years.
  Maybe the Mavericks should borrow it.
  Something like: Bring ya brooms.
  Yes, the sweep alert is on after the Mavericks took Minnesota’s best punch and refused to hit the floor, surviving for a 116-107 victory at
  
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• Dončić danced by Gobert for dramatic game-winning three-pointer

  26-05-2024 02:28 via mavs.com
  
  As the old saying goes, it’s not the size of the man in the fight that counts, but the size of the fight in the man.That was the case Friday night in Minneapolis when the smaller man in this one-on-one battle – Dallas Mavericks 6-7, 230-pound point guard Luka Dončić – had a huge leg up on the taller man in the battle – Minnesota Timberwolves 7-1, 258-pound center Rudy Gobert. After the two players did a little cha cha dance for a few seconds, Dončić de
  
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• Sizzling Mavericks have a healthy chance to go up 3-0 on Wolves

  26-05-2024 00:00 via mavs.com
  
  Savvy sports fans know that there really are only two things you can hope for during the NBA playoffs.
  To be healthy and playing your best.
  Health for the Mavericks is a moving target. Some folks watch them and see Luka Dončić dragging around on one leg because of his sprained right knee.
  Others see his endless string of triple-doubles and realize that, in Luka’s universe, winning is a better cure-all than any bandage or treatment.
  As for playing your best, the Mavericks have nai
  
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• Mavericks had another ‘prayer shot’ besides Luka’s to key Game 2 win

  25-05-2024 07:41 via mavs.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS – Way before Luka Dončić conjured up his magic Friday night, Daniel Gafford had his own believe-it-or-not moment without which the Mavericks may not have pulled off a wild win at Target Center.
  The Mavericks were locked in a dramatic battle with the Minnesota Timberwolves midway through the fourth quarter when Gafford blocked a three-point try, then leaked out as Dončić got the short rebound.
  Luka whipped a court-length pass to the streaking Gafford, who abs
  
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• Dončić buries game-winning three-pointer as Mavs stun Timberwolves, 109-108

  25-05-2024 06:10 via mavs.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS — Luka Dončić drilled an electrifying three-pointer over Rudy Gobert with three seconds remaining Friday night at Target Center, and the Dallas Mavericks rallied from an 18-point deficit to shock the Minnesota Timberwolves, 109-108, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
  With the victory, the Mavs were able to win both games to open this series on the road, and now hold a 2-0 lead in this best-of-seven series. In the history of the NBA, teams that emerge victorie
  
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• Mavs want Timberwolves to keep raining threes

  24-05-2024 16:02 via mavs.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves attempted a franchise playoff record 49 three-pointers on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. It wouldn’t bother the Mavs one bit if the T-Wolves employed that same strategy again in Game 2 of this best-of-seven series.
  The run of threes worked fine for the Timberwolves in the first half of Game 1 when they were 11-of-25 from the field and led, 62-59, at the game’s midway point. But in the s
  
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• Mavs expect to receive Timberwolves’ best punch in Game 2

  23-05-2024 23:48 via mavs.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS – After the Dallas Mavericks went into the Minnesota Timberwolves’ backyard and immediately captured Game 1 of this best-of-seven Western Conference Finals playoff series, 108-105, on Wednesday, Mavs center Daniel Gafford already knows what to anticipate when Game 2 is played on Friday.
  “We know we’re going to get their best game in Game 2,” Gafford said before Thursday’s practice. “I’m pretty sure for a fact that they felt they should
  
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• Lively’s free-throw mechanics could be first step to a broader skillset

  23-05-2024 23:02 via mavs.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS – The free-throw routine of Dereck Lively II is as simple as it is unique.
  Get the ball. Line it up. Take the shot.
  No dribbling. No arm-touching or ball-spinning. No extraneous body movement, like shoulder wiggles.
  Just catch and shoot.
  Lively’s free-throw shooting has become a source of pride for him and an asset for the Mavericks during their playoff run, which has landed them a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
  The spotlight
  
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• Wolves’ coach made sure his team ‘got the memo’ that West finals have begun

  23-05-2024 22:01 via mavs.com
  
  MINNEAPOLIS – It was, in coach Chris Finch’s estimation, a “rough” film session for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.
  The Mavericks had played a strong Game 1 in the Western Conference finals to take a 108-105 victory and the Wolves’ coach was not happy with his team. Or with the legality of certain things happening on the court. But more on that in a moment.
  The Mavericks had a game plan that stifled the Minnesota offense in the paint and forced a ridiculous
  
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