(sabasports report) In Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, the Mavericks returned home to face the Timberwolves, taking a 3-0 overall lead and taking game point. Throughout the game, Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić played brilliantly, leading the team to a 12-1 clutch run to kill the game.
In the first half, the Mavericks kept their opponents at home. They led 33-28 in the first quarter, and the Mavericks led 60-52 at halftime. Doncic and Irving were the key to the Mavericks’ lead. In the first half, Doncic played 20 minutes, shooting 5 of 12, 2 of 5 3-pointers, 2 of 2 free throws, scoring 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals, plus or minus 3. Irving finished with 14 points, one rebound and two assists on 5-of-10 shooting (2-of-5 from 3-point range and 2-of-3 from free throw range) and the second-highest plus-9 on the team in 20 minutes and 50 seconds.
Doncic and Irving are averaging a combined 59.5 points per game this season, the second-highest scoring duo in the 21st century behind James Harden and Russell Westbrook in 2019-20, according to stats.
In the second half, the lone Ranger continued to maintain steady output. Irving was particularly strong in the fourth quarter, scoring seven straight points as Donic hit a walk-off 3-pointer against Karl-Anthony Towns and then singled in Naz Reid for a jumper. Irving made a layup and the duo put the Mavericks ahead.
With 67 seconds left, Irving hit a big heart jumper against Towns. Doncic set up Daniel Gafford for a game-killing dunk on a triple team with 34.8 seconds left. In the end, the Mavericks took a 3-0 lead, one step away from the Finals.