3 Takeaways: Luka Dončić looks indomitable, while ANT looks debilitated
The game-winning 3 by Luka Dončić not only gave the Dallas Mavericks a 2-0 lead in the WCF, but it may have taken the life out of the Timberwolves
Fans witnessed an unforgettable moment with Luka Dončić during last night's game between the Mavericks and the Timberwolves, just in case you missed it. Following a thrilling 109-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2, the Dallas Mavericks now hold a 2-0 advantage in the Western Conference finals. Luka Dončić's remarkable game-winning step-back 3-pointer over Rudy Gobert highlighted the game with only three seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves led by as many as 18 points before Dallas launched a monumental second-half comeback.
The Mavericks are just two wins shy of reaching the NBA Finals, and they have the advantage of playing their next two games at home. The Mavericks' ability to stage a comeback against the Timberwolves, despite being 18 points down and trailing for most of the game, showcases the team's resolve and composure.
It was evident that Minnesota was fatigued after the halftime break, as Anthony Edwards' scoring dropped to just eight points in the second half compared to his 21-point total. Karl-Anthony Towns had a minimal impact on offense, only scoring 15 points on 4-of-16 shooting. In the final stretch, he found himself on the bench, partly due to his lackluster performance and also because Naz Reid was on fire, shooting 7-for-9 from three-point range and scoring 23 points. Although he couldn't deliver when it mattered the most, his potential game-winning 3-pointer narrowly missed as the buzzer sounded.
Here are a few takeaways from Friday's Game 2.
What can the Wolves do with Luka?
There will be extensive deliberation about Dončić's game-winning shot, particularly regarding the decision to keep Gobert on the court despite the Wolves' plan to switch on all screens. By implementing the scheme, Dončić was able to create a one-on-one situation against the seven-foot player, and the result was evident to everyone. Dončić was utterly unfazed by the four-time Defensive Player of the Year, which is a separate concern altogether.
When Luka possesses the ball in a critical moment, the defense faces a choice: either double-team him or face an inevitable defeat. I strongly believe you can deduce the choice made by the Wolves last night.
Dončić was asked if he was taken aback by the Wolves' choice to switch on the play after the game.
"I was, a little bit, yeah, actually," Dončić said. "I think they were going, like, just no 3s. So, he tried to stay up. But I saw the space, and get to my spot. ... I mean, he's long enough. He can't move — I can't move fast, but I can move faster than him."
In hindsight, it seems evident that the Wolves should have trapped Dončić when he used the screen or that Gobert should not have been on the court during that possession. Throughout the night, the Wolves tried various defensive strategies against Dončić, but they had limited success. When confronted with the blitz, Dončić remained composed, patiently waiting for the ideal opportunity to make a cut or take an open 3-pointer or skillfully execute pinpoint passes.
Dončić created a problematic situation for the defenders when Gobert or other bigs defended the pick-and-roll. He would position himself well, forcing the big to choose between challenging his shot or defending against the lob. It was an incredibly challenging task to contain him, to say the least, and ultimately, Dončić became their downfall.
It's challenging to find a straightforward response against such a talented player, but the Wolves seemed perplexed at moments while attempting to counter Dončić with different defensive tactics. In this series, the Wolves have had two games to devise a plan on how to effectively tackle Dončić. In Game 3, they will likely opt for a default coverage, which they have already employed in the previous games, and utilize it more persistently. They might also sporadically introduce defensive variations to catch Dončić off guard and keep him on his toes.
Ant looks, dare I say, normal
It's challenging to visualize a young and fit 22-year-old getting fatigued, but the considerable responsibilities assigned to Anthony Edwards on offense and defense during three playoff rounds are undeniably exhausting him. He has had to defend several top players, including Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Jamal Murray, and now Kyrie Irving. The situation would usually leave any person breathless, but for someone like Anthony Edwards, who is expected to be superhuman, he appears surprisingly weak and, dare I say, ordinary.
Out of 33 attempts, he has made 11 shots in this series. If you include the seventh game against Denver, the record becomes 17 out of 57. It's clear that he has encountered a significant obstacle, and his entire team won't be able to help him overcome this challenge; he will have to dig deep. He's not getting the shots he wants, and even when he does, Ant is turning down said shots.
"I'm turning down a lot of shots, especially in the mid-range," he said. "I'm just making the right play. Maybe the right play might be just to shoot it."
In a game where the Wolves were understandably desperate for a victory, the Mavericks were trailing by five points with only 66 seconds left on the road. But, with the Wolves up two points and just 12.8 seconds remaining, Edwards, who grew more frustrated as the game went along, eventually lost his composure and tossed a pass into the first row. After that, The Wolves never really had a chance to recover because of the phenom known as Luka Dončić.
The Timberwolves require ANT to tap into his superhuman abilities. He has consistently performed at that level throughout the playoffs. Still, for the Timberwolves to reach the NBA Finals and secure victory in this series, he must tap into his remaining energy.
Gafford and Lively II are a deadly combination
It's hard to embellish how crucial the center combo of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II has been for the Mavericks this postseason. I don't say this lightly, but they are the twin towers of the playoffs, and it doesn't look like much will prevent them from assuming this role.
You could say that Friday night's game may have been their best performance to date. They combined for 30 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks, all from Gafford, while continuously being the driving force on the defensive end of the floor. Their length defensively protected the paint from the Wolves' penetration, particularly in the second half, and they repeatedly caught lobs from Dončić and Irving. Gafford and Lively combined for 11 dunks in last night's game.
They both exhibit comparable athleticism and size on the court. When either one or both players are playing, the Mavericks' team gains another dimension. The synergy between Gafford and Lively in Dallas has been flawless, potentially propelling the franchise to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011.
Notable statistics for Game 2
Dallas Mavericks:
Luka Dončić: 32 pts, 13 ast, 10 reb, 5-11 3P
Kyrie Irving: 20 pts, 6 ast, 4 reb
Daniel Gafford: 16 pts, 5 reb, 5 blk
Dereck Lively II: 14 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Anthony Edwards: 21 pts, 7 ast, 5 reb, 5-17 FG
Mike Conley: 18 pts, 5 ast, 5 reb
Naz Reid: 23 pts, 7-9 3P
Karl-Anthony Towns: 15 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 4-16 FG, 25 min
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And people compared him to MJ