In a high-stakes Game 4 this past Tuesday in the NBA conference finals, the NBA NBA FINALSthe Dallas Mavericks faced the Minnesota Timberwolves, ultimately succumbing to a 105-100 loss. This loss extends the series to a decisive Game 5, scheduled for Thursday night in Minnesota.
The game unfolded with the intensity and unpredictability typical of elimination scenarios, with both teams showing remarkable effort for contrasting motivations.
Difficult start
The game began with Luka Doncic making a strong impression, scoring eight of the Mavericks' first ten points in the first six minutes.
Despite this early momentum, Dallas encountered significant challenges due to their compromised front line. With Dereck Lively II out and Maxi Kleber limited in playing time, the responsibility of rim protection fell heavily on Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell.
This vulnerability was exploited by Minnesota, which dominated the paint with a 14-2 scoring advantage.
Defensively, the Timberwolves were formidable, successfully stifling the Mavericks' offense and holding them without a field goal for more than four minutes at the end of the quarter.
Despite these obstacles, Dallas managed to keep the deficit manageable, trailing 27-20 at the end of the first quarter.
Recovery
Minnesota maintained its aggressive approach in the second quarter, fueled by the need to extend its season.
Dallas initially struggled to match the Timberwolves' energy, often coming up short on loose balls and rebounds, and experiencing defensive lapses. However, the Mavericks began to find their rhythm as the quarter progressed, capitalizing on Minnesota's defensive miscues and turnovers.
By halftime, Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards had each accumulated three fouls, which Dallas used to its advantage. The Mavericks turned nine Timberwolves turnovers into 20 points, offsetting their own seven turnovers that fortunately did not result in significant Minnesota scoring.
A strong finish to the half saw Dallas tie the game at 49-49 after a 15-7 run.
hard fought W. pic.twitter.com/B4S8sqNVKZ
- Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 29, 2024
Tight Competition
The third quarter was marked by a back-and-forth battle, with neither team managing to establish a significant lead.
The Mavericks took brief leads, but were generally held at bay by Minnesota, which maintained a narrow three- to five-point lead throughout the quarter.
Interestingly, both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were uncharacteristically passive, scoring between them just eight points on six shots, although Doncic contributed three assists.
Unexpectedly, Gafford and Jaden Hardy stood out, combining to score 13 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting. Their contributions kept the Mavericks competitive as the game remained tightly contested.
Decisive Closing
The fourth quarter was a close contest, with both teams trading leads and small scoring spurts. Karl-Anthony Towns was instrumental for Minnesota, hitting three critical three-pointers and scoring 10 points in the final quarter.
Kyrie Irving's performance was inconsistent, contributing only six points in this crucial period.
A key moment occurred with 1:38 to play when Doncic drew Towns' sixth foul, earning three free throws.
After a defensive stop, Irving hit a mid-range shot to cut the deficit to 100-97. However, Anthony Edwards quickly responded with a tough shot, extending the Wolves' lead to 102-97.
A critical Irving turnover led to a counterattack, where Mike Conley scored one of two free throws, further increasing the lead.
Doncic made a deep three-pointer and drew a foul, but missed the ensuing free throw, leaving the score at 103-100. Finally, two free throws by Naz Reid with 11 seconds to play sealed the victory for Minnesota, ending the score at 105-100.
Key Performance
One of the positives for Dallas was their improved performance from the free throw line. The Mavericks shot 18 of 21, an impressive 85%, which is a significant improvement for the team.
In contrast, Minnesota struggled with its free throws, hitting just 68% of its 25 attempts. Although Doncic missed a critical free throw that could have converted a four-point play, the Mavericks' overall performance from the free throw line is a positive sign as they head into the decisive Game 5.
A critical factor for the Mavericks going forward is the need for more offensive involvement from Kyrie Irving.
His passivity, often dropping back to the three-point line, significantly limits his impact on the game. When Irving is more aggressively integrated into the offense, it opens up the court and prevents defenses from focusing solely on Doncic.
The coaching staff needs to come up with strategies that incorporate Irving more effectively, such as using him on screen plays with Doncic.
Given Irving's superstar status, it is essential that he assumes his influence, especially during times when the team faces offensive struggles. His active participation is crucial to the Mavericks' success in the upcoming Game 5.
