Top Stories

• The NBA Finals are set!

• No games until June 6th

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

Games of the day

Last Night’s Top Games! (link to the box scores of the game(s) from yesterday)

Luka Doncic had a 20-point first quarter on his way to 36 points for his high this playoffs, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103 to breeze through the Western Conference finals in five games. Kyrie Irving also scored 36 points for the Mavericks, who built a 29-point halftime lead. The Mavs, who were the fifth seed in the West, have a full week to rest before the NBA Finals begin in Boston on June 6 for the Mavs first appearance since winning the championship in 2011 when coach Jason Kidd was playing for them. Anthony Edwards scored 28 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 12 rebounds for the Wolves, who met their match with the duo of Doncic and Irving after handling Phoenix in a first-round sweep and then dethroning defending champion Denver in a seven-game series. Dallas and Boston now have the eyes of the NBA world on them.

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

NBA Playoff Matchups

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston vs (6) Indiana: Celtics win 4-0

The Pacers proved they have the toughness to compete and win a series, but Boston is a different monster. Indiana has to be nearly flawless to win this series.

(Game 1) The Pacers had a chance to win after a great game, but a pair of turnovers in the final 30 seconds cost them the game.

(Game 2) Jaylen Brown scored 40, and the Pacers lost Tyrese Haliburton to a lingering injury in the 3rd. We’re still due for the stinker game Boston puts up every series, but if that doesn’t happen, Indiana might not win a game.

(Game 3) Indiana blew a 18 point 3rd quarter lead, and gave up a chance to keep themselves alive in this series. Jayson Tatum had a signature game, and Boston moves to within one game of the NBA Finals.

(Game 4) The Pacers couldn’t close the deal again, and Derrick White won Boston the game late. Now they’re in the Finals for the 2nd time in 3 years.

Prediction: Celtics in 5

Western Conference

(3) Minnesota vs (5) Dallas: Mavs win 1-4

The Wolves have all the size to deal with Dallas on the interior and perimeter, but Luka is going to be a problem either way. KAT and Kyrie will be the X-factors for this series.

(Game 1) The Wolves weren’t ready for Luka and Kyrie, as Irving had 24 first half points, running Anthony Edwards ragged across the court. Luka had 15 points in the 4th, shredding the Wolves defense. Chris Finch and Micah Nori have some serious adjustments to make.

(Game 2) Minnesota made adjustments, and they worked for most of the game. By playing up on Irving/Doncic pick and rolls, they took away the Mavs duo scoring, but that led to 30 points for Lively and Gafford almost exclusively off lobs. Now they go into a situation they haven’t been in yet, down 0-2 on the road.

(Game 3) Luka and Kyrie scored 33 apiece, and were unguardable down the stretch for the Mavs. KAT and Ant continued to struggle, and despite a late run, Dallas’ star duo put the game away. Now down 0-3, this series is all but over.

(Game 4) Minnesota finally got good games from Anthony Edwards and Karl Anthony Towns, and have somewhat changed the momentum of the series. Now headed back home, the Wolves face the tough task of keeping up this energy against Luka and Kyrie. And with Derek Lively possibly returning, it only gets tougher from here.

(Game 5) Luka outscored the whole Wolves team in the 1Q (20-18), and things only got worse for Minny from there. Luka and Kyrie combined for 72 points, and Dallas advances to the Finals to play Boston.

Prediction: Wolves in 6

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

Overtime Thoughts