Top Stories

• Wolves fall to 0-2 vs Mavs

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Games of the day

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

Luka Doncic and the Mavericks are headed home with a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals on the Timberwolves. Doncic hit the winner with 3 seconds left and posted his fifth triple-double of the playoffs to lead the Mavericks to a 109-108 victory over the Timberwolves on Friday night. Doncic had 32 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for his eighth triple-double in 42 career playoff games for the Mavericks, and Kyrie Irving had 13 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter. Naz Reid went 7 for 9 from 3-point range for 23 points, but his last try at the buzzer rimmed out to send the Wolves to Dallas in a big hole after another off night by stars Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. Game 3 is on Sunday in Dallas.

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Around the League

• Injury Updates: Kristaps Porzingis (calf) is still out indefinitely. Maxi Kleber (shoulder) is out indefinitely. Benedict Mathurin (shoulder) underwent surgery and is out for the season. We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

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NBA Playoff Matchups

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston vs (6) Indiana: Series is 2-0

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.

Prediction: Celtics in 5

Western Conference

(3) Minnesota vs (5) Dallas: Series is 0-2

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.

Prediction: Wolves in 6

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Overtime Thoughts