We’re down to the final four in the and a pair of conference finals series that should be a lot of fun. In the East, the Pacers knocked off the Knicks in Game 7 to advance to the semi🌞finals against the Celtics. In the West, Minnesota came from behind on the road in Game 7 to take down the defending champion𝔉 Nuggets and earn a date with Dallas.
We’re in for a treat!
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Western Conference Finals Schedule
Game 1 (Wednesday, May 22): Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves – 8:30 PM ET – TNT
Game 2 (Thursday, May 23): Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves – 8:30 PM ET – TNT
Game 3 (Saturday, May 25): Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks – 8:00 PM ET – TNT
Game 4 (Monday, May 27): Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks – 8:30 PM ET – TNT
Game 5 (Wednesday, May 29): Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves – 8:30 PM ET – TNT
Game 6 (Friday, May 31): Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks – 8:30 PM ET – TNT
Game 7 (Monday, June 2): Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves – 8:30 PM ET – TNT
Minnesota led the NBA in opponent points per game in the regular season allowing just 106.5 points per contest. In the playoffs, they’ve lowered that total even more – down to 99.6 opponent points per game, which is second best of the remaining teams only to Boston’s 96.7.
Dallas has improved on the defensive side of the ball drastically in the postseason. During the regular season, they were 20th in the NBA giving up 115.6 points per contest. In the playoffs, they’ve dropped that number to 103.4. In the regular season, they were in the bottom half of the league with a defensive rating of 114.9, which was good for only 18th in the NBA. In the playoffs, the Mavs are down to a 110.6 defensive rating. This improved defensive is a big reason why they have a chance to go to the Finals!
Generally, when Karl-Anthony Towns has had big games, so have the T’Wolves so far this postseason. Minnesota is 5-1 when KAT records a double-double in the playoffs. And when he scores 20+ points, they’re 4-1. We know what we’ll get from Anthony Edwards generally, but Minnesota has been very difficult to beat when Towns is also in a groove. Not necessarily a complicated concept, but it’s been an important one.
Timberwolves:Dominate down low. After passing the Nikola Jokic test, Rody Gobert and the T’Wolves big men have to be feeling good about themselves. Dallas has had a lot of success on the boards and in the paint thus far this postseason, and if Minnesota can win that battle it will make things very tough on Dallas. The Mavs dominated the glass against OKC and that’s one of the main reasons they took the series. Limiting second-chance opportunities really helps with those improved defensive totals. If Minnesota can control the glass, they can likely control the series.
Mavericks:Stars need to be stars. The Mavs have a nice supporting cast, and they’ve certainly taken turns having big nights. But this team goes as Luka and Kyrie go. If those two are at their best, Dallas will be very hard to beat. We saw that in the OKC series. Basically, when Luka had his “A” game and contributed on both sides of the floor, Dallas won. When he had an off night, they didn’t. Anthony Edwards has been amazing for Minnesota, but that supporting cast has played a huge role, too. The Mavs will need a complete effort from everyone, but they’ll go as their stars go.
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction:Minnesota in 7. I think this has the potential to be a banger of a series. The Mavs used their experience and star power to get by the Thunder. The Timberwolves have limited experience as well in the postseason, but they’re battle-tested after the showdown with Denver. Luka will have his moments, and he and Anthony Edwards could have a heck of a dual. I also think Minnesota’s defense – while outstanding – will need some time to adjust to the backcourt combo that Dallas features. It will be a very different recipe than what they saw against Denver. However, in the end, I still think the T’Wolves are too deep for this Mavs crew to handle.
Matt is from the Chicagoland area and has been working in Chicago sports since 2015 with stops at WGN Radio, the Chicago Blackhawks, Stadium, and NBC Sports Chicago prior to landing at Betsperts. Matt covers just about everything for Betspert🐼s and Bleacher N♋ation but focuses on the NHL and college football.
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