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• Wolves force a Game 5

• No games tonight

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Games of the day

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

Karl Anthony Towns scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half and the Wolves held off the Mavericks 105-100 to avoid a sweep. Anthony Edwards had 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as the Wolves stayed alive in their first trip to the conference finals in 20 years, and just the second in the franchise's 35 seasons. Luka Doncic had 28 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for his sixth triple-double of these playoffs, but he and Kyrie Irving were a combined 13 of 39 from the field. The Wolves avoided being the 16th team out of 21 to get swept after losing the first three games of a series that started at home. Now they’ll try to be just the fourth to force at least six games. Game 5 is Thursday night in Minnesota.

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Around the League

• Injury Updates: Kristaps Porzingis (calf) is still out indefinitely. Derek Lively (neck) is questionable for Game 5. We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

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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: Series is 1-3

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.

Prediction: Wolves in 6

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Overtime Thoughts