Welcome to the Hoops Hilarity: Kyrie and Luka’s Playmaking Shenanigans!
Kyrie Irving scores 16 of his 35 points in the 3rd quarter and knocks down six of his eight 3-point attempts.
The Rivalry and the Reality
MINNEAPOLIS — Let’s be honest: calling this matchup “clinical” is like calling a Taco Bell drive-thru a gourmet restaurant. There’s a spicy history here! Just five months ago, the Dallas Mavericks did a victory dance over the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning their series faster than you can say “spinning ball.” Mavs coach Jason Kidd tried to play it cool, saying, “This is a new year.” Newsflash, Jason: so are the haircuts from the ’90s, but that doesn’t mean they should come back!
1. Dynamic Duos: The Real Quarterback Combo
Imagine Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson as your quarterbacks. Now imagine them on a basketball court! That’s exactly how defenders feel trying to guard Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. The Mavs are not just a team; they’re like a double shot of espresso—strong, smooth, and risking a heart attack! Kyrie’s 35 points scream, “Yes, I can do this all day!” while his “three-pointers successful” playlist could get a Grammy for Best Comedy Album with lyrics about how he makes shots you wouldn’t believe if they were in a Pixar movie.
2. Mavs’ Early Statement: Not Just Another Game
If you think the Mavs were just another roadblock for the Timberwolves, you’re dead wrong. Dallas leaped to a 9-0 run faster than a toddler at a candy store. Even with Dončić limping around like someone who just stepped on a LEGO, they outscored the Wolves 67-48 in the second and third quarters. It’s like a cook-off where the secret ingredient is hustle! And those rookie vibes? Gone – hello, seasoned veterans with a little more sizzle.
3. Anthony Edwards: The 3-Point Wonder
Anthony Edwards had an explosive start hitting 6 three-pointers in the first quarter! Imagine your phone blowing up after a breakup, and you’ll get an idea of how hype fans were. Yet, just like online dating, things became dire after that hot start—much like trying to find the pause button on your Netflix binge. He ended up with a disappointing 13 points after that, proving that sometimes, you just can’t trust the hype!
4. Glass Crashers: Dallas Knows How to Rehab a Lead
The Mavs were stealing more rebounds than an amateur magician at a school talent show. They snagged critical offensive rebounds that almost felt like a dirty secret—completely infuriating for the Wolves, trying to mount a dramatic comeback. If Edwards felt like he was on a sinking ship, it was probably because he didn’t box out like his life depended on it. One of those moments when being big actually comes in handy—who knew, right?
5. Randle’s Retro Revival
Meet Julius Randle: the man with the mystical power of old-school play when everyone’s flying around like it’s the three-point contest! He joins the Timberwolves, and like a classic vinyl record, he’s spinning his way into glory with smooth moves and retro charm. 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3-for-3 from behind the arc? Looks like he went shopping at the “Good Old Days” store, and we’re all here for it! Just wait till he figures out that taking a mid-range shot is like bringing a spoon to a knife fight.
Conclusion: The Dance of the Mavericks
As the dust settles from this encounter, one thing is clear: the Mavericks are not just looking to make noise; they are set on crashing the finals while looking fabulous doing it. In this cruel comedic saga of rebounds and three-point shots, we were left wondering: have the Mavs worked out a system with Kyrie and Luka, or is it all a well-rehearsed improv sketch? Either way, the basketball world is watching—grab your popcorn, folks, it’s going to be one wild ride.
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Well, there you have it! You know, it’s utterly refreshing to see a game where the drama mingles with a sprinkle of comedic athleticism. The Mavs and their dynamic duo are out here redefining what it means to entertain as well as dominate. Now, if only they could incorporate a karaoke session during halftime!
Kyrie Irving dazzled with a striking performance, scoring 16 of his total 35 points in a dominant third quarter and sinking six of his eight attempts from beyond the arc.
MINNEAPOLIS — Despite their recent playoff rivalry, both the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves approached their matchup with a clinical focus. This mindset was crucial to move beyond their shared history from the Western Conference Finals.
Only five months have passed since the Mavericks triumphed over the Timberwolves in a bitter Western Conference Finals, finishing the series in five games. Back at the Target Center, where the Mavericks celebrated crucial victories, including a stunning 124-103 win that secured their advancement to the championship round, both teams sought to evolve after their respective off-seasons.
“That was last year. This is a new year,” said Mavs coach Jason Kidd, highlighting the fresh start both teams are eager to embrace. “This is a different team. They’re a different team.”
Wolves coach Chris Finch also acknowledged the teams’ shifts, albeit with a touch less enthusiasm. “We didn’t put a roster together to beat Dallas,” Finch explained, emphasizing the current focus on self-discovery rather than retribution. “It’s so early in the season; I’m sure they’re trying to figure out who they are.”
“But it is fun to play these teams early because you learn a lot about yourself,” he added.
Here are five key takeaways from the Mavericks’ hard-fought 120-114 victory:
1. 2 creators, 2 closers, 2 QBs
Imagine having Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes as your starting quarterback and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson as his backup, a formidable duo that could confuse any defense. Now picture the impact of deploying them at the same time—a nightmare for opposing teams.
That’s precisely how NBA defenses feel when facing the formidable backcourt pairing of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Their synergy on the court, coupled with the Mavericks’ supporting cast, transforms them into a relentless offensive threat.
Irving’s stellar performance of 35 points, including a remarkable 25 after halftime and 16 in the crucial third quarter, was a significant factor in the Mavericks’ victory. His ability to hit six of ten three-point attempts and 13 of 23 overall added a much-needed spark, especially as Dončić battled through discomfort after tweaking his right knee in the second quarter. Playing nearly 39 minutes after a demanding game against Utah just a day earlier, Irving demonstrated resilience and adaptability.
“It’s a matter of his feel,” Kidd noted. “It’s about energy for him. And whatever the team needs at that moment.”
Dončić, while visibly laboring through parts of the game, still showcased his ability to shine when needed most. After a rough start, he connected on a vital three-pointer from 33 feet away just as the Timberwolves closed the gap, extending the lead to 117-109 in the final minutes.
“Someone just said it, ‘We’ve seen this movie before,’” Kidd said, acknowledging Luka’s penchant for clutch performances. “Luka loves the opportunity to win the game.”
Reflecting on his shooting, Dončić remarked, “I don’t know how I make those shots and not normal shots. … Just got to get the rustiness out.”
Finch conveyed the anxieties many NBA coaches face when preparing for the Mavericks, highlighting their versatility. “They have an incredible pick-and-roll game, of course, they have a Kyrie iso game and now [with Klay Thompson] they have an off-ball game. They’ve become multi-faceted. They can switch gears to do different things.”
2. Early statement game for Mavs
Dallas entered the game with a fresh challenge, having played just 24 hours before against Utah, compared to Minnesota, which had not played since Saturday. Despite the demanding schedule, the Mavericks powered through the fatigue to assert their dominance early, achieving a 9-0 lead in fast breaks during the third quarter.
Over the course of the second and third quarters, Dallas outperformed the Wolves significantly, scoring 67 points to Minnesota’s 48. While managing ball control was initially an issue, with both teams nearly matching turnovers in the first half, Dallas tightened up their execution remarkably, committing only one turnover in the final 24 minutes.
The maturity of key acquisitions, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, became evident as they settled further into their roles, while young center Dereck Lively II displayed growth beyond his rookie season. Newcomer Naji Marshall stepped up defensively, earning three rebounds and two steals against a formidable Timberwolves offense.
Are the Mavericks set up to make another run to the NBA Finals?
3. Edwards attacking from afar
One poignant moment in recent NBA history occurred when Vince Carter, once celebrated as the league’s best dunker, altered his game style to minimize physical toll. As he embraced a different playing style, fans worried they’d miss the electrifying highlights he was known for during his prime.
Similarly, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, only 23, seems to be shifting his offensive approach to emphasize three-point shooting over his previously dominant attacks at the rim. This season, he has been relentlessly testing his newfound prowess from deep, almost doubling his attempts from three-point range.
In his first four games, Edwards averaged 13.3 attempts per game, making 5.5 with a 41.5% success rate. His explosive start against Dallas included six three-pointers in the first quarter, resulting in an impressive 24-point quarter, setting a Target Center record for any quarter. Despite Dallas’s efforts to contain him after his explosive start, Edwards still demonstrated his evolving skillset.
“Have we replaced his midrange with 3s or [is he] just taking more 3s and keeping the same midrange?” Finch joked before the game. “He trusts his shot. We’ve been telling him for years, you’re an outstanding 3-point shooter, but he has a lot of game and likes to dribble the ball…”
4. Dallas crashed the glass late
Although the Mavericks secured only marginally more offensive rebounds than the Timberwolves with a total of 12, their timing in the fourth quarter proved to be critical. Frustrating Minnesota’s comeback efforts, Dallas capitalized on key offensive rebounds, stalling the Wolves’ momentum.
“The dagger shots at the end, when you’re trying to come back, are super painful,” Finch observed. “But their offensive rebounds, there was a lot of transition, not getting matched up quick enough, and Kyrie is getting loose on us.”
Crucial contributions came from Lively, Gafford, Washington, and Dončić, all pivotal in creating additional scoring opportunities for the Mavericks while also eating up precious clock.
“It’s on us, especially myself,” Edwards admitted. “I’m big as hell. I’ve got to be able to box them bigs out.”
5. Randle fitting in
Julius Randle, now a power forward for Minnesota following his trade from New York, has embraced a more traditional style of play that draws attention to low-post developments. By infusing a mix of classic basketball techniques into a modern game, he highlights the importance of diverse offensive strategies.
So far, Randle has demonstrated impressive stats, contributing 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists while going three for three from long range in the game against Dallas. His ability to seamlessly integrate into the team dynamic reflects his growing comfort in the current system. In four games, he is averaging 23.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while shooting an outstanding 62.5% from three-point range.
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Steve Aschburner has been covering the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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