Timberwolves Lose Game Three, Find Themselves Down 0-3 to Mavericks
Photo Credit: Julio Cortez, Associated Press Photo
Though the Minnesota Timberwolves were able to erase a 12-point lead that the Mavericks had built up in the second quarter, the Timberwolves were unable to close out the game. Through yet another masterclass by the Mavericks’ two superstars, the Dallas Mavericks(50-32) were able to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves(56-26) by a score of 116-107 according to ESPN, claiming a 3-0 series lead. Seeing as no team has ever come back from a 3-0 hole, the Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves in an incredibly precarious situation in the Western Conference Finals.
Photo Credit: Julio Cortez, Associated Press Photo
The main reason the Mavericks were able to push their series lead to 3-0 against the Timberwolves was due to yet another efficient attack by Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić. During the first two games of the series against the Timberwolves, Kyrie Irving had been averaging 25 points per game, whereas Luka Dončić had been averaging 32.5 points per game. Seeing as Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić’s output of 33 points each was above each of their series averages, it is no surprise that the Timberwolves were unable to pull out the victory against the Mavericks. All statistics were provided by Pro Basketball Reference.
Photo Credit: Matthew Stockman, Getty Images
While P.J. Washington’s production has dipped from the Mavericks’ series against the Thunder, his performance in game three of the series against the Timberwolves also contributed to the pivotal victory. P.J. Washington scored 16 points, scoring above his previous series average of 11.5 points. Washington also grabbed eight rebounds, showing that his effort on the glass also contributed to the fluid machine that is the Dallas Mavericks. If P.J. Washington can produce like he did in games two, three, and four in the series against the Thunder(where Washington averaged 25.7 points per game), the Mavericks have a real chance at contending for a Championship, if they can close out the series against the Timberwolves. All statistics were provided by Pro Basketball Reference.
Photo Credit: Carlos Gonzalez, Star Tribune
Anthony Edwards’s scoring production has undergone a slow but steady decline over the 2024 NBA Playoffs, and that decline, seeing as Edwards is a key piece of the Timberwolves’ offense, contributes dramatically to the Timberwolves recent losses. Edwards, though he scored 26 points in the third game against the Mavericks, only shot 45.8% from the field, making none of his two three-point attempts. Though he dropped a near triple-double with nine rebounds and nine assists, his five turnovers were another indication of recent slump. If Edwards can transform back to the Anthony Edwards that was averaging 31 points per game against the Suns in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the potential to make the series interesting against the Dallas Mavericks. Anthony Edwards absolutely has the talent to dig the Timberwolves out of the 0-3 series deficit. It is only a matter of playing like the Anthony Edwards that radiates confidence and scoring ability to give the Timberwolves any chance of making history. The statistics were provided by Pro Basketball Reference.
The Mavericks stay at home for the fourth game of the Western Conference Finals, where they have the chance to end the series and advance to the NBA Finals.
