MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Dallas Mavericks cruised into the NBA Finals Thursday night after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103.
The Mavs’ victory was sealed by stellar performances from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who each scored 36 points in the blowout win.
Doncic’s all-around performance was instrumental in the Mavericks’ blowout win.
In addition to his 36 points, he secured a double-double with 10 rebounds while Irving, meanwhile, complemented his scoring with five assists.
Irving was also perfect from the free-throw line.
The Mavericks’ offensive onslaught was on full display at the Target Center in Minnesota as their ball movement and sharp shooting overwhelmed the Timberwolves from the start.
Dallas executed fast breaks and pick-and-rolls to perfection, creating numerous scoring opportunities and maintaining a relentless attack that left Minnesota unable to keep pace.
Doncic set the tone for the rest of the game, starting strong and going 4 for 4 from downtown.
“He let his teammates know that it’s time and they’ve got to take it up a notch,” coach Jason Kidd said. “He sent the invites out, and they all came.”
With this victory, the Mavericks celebrated their Western Conference Championship and now set their sights on the NBA Finals.
The Mavericks will take on the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals to try and bring back a second championship to Dallas.
It has been 13 years since Dallas won its first NBA championship. Jason Kidd, now head coach of the Mavericks earned Dallas its first championship alongside Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.
Travis Tyler