After completing the biggest comeback in Game 7 history to eliminate the Denver Nuggets on Sunday Night. The Minnesota Timberwolves now prepare for Game 1 of the 2024 Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks tonight. Notably, this will be their first WCF appearance since 2004. Additionally, Dallas has the experience advantage over the young and hungry Timberwolves. However, this is not the first series that Minnesota has been outmatched from an experience perspective. They dispatched the more talented and experienced defending champions in the last round and the Phoenix Suns in the first round. Furthermore, Minnesota has shown an ability to overwhelm teams with their length and depth. If they are able to do the same to the Mavericks, they will be able to win this game tonight and this series.
Timberwolves Keys to a Game One Victory over the Mavericks
Key One: Timberwolves Second Unit Must Dominate
The Timberwolves are similar to their young counterparts in the Eastern Conference Finals the Indiana Pacers. Both teams have been able to destroy their opponents with their second unit. Minnesota’s second unit has kept them afloat throughout these playoffs. Especially, when they have gotten nothing from their starters in some of their postseason games. Notably, the Timberwolves rank fourth in bench points in the playoffs.
Being able to call on the Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid, has been a big lift for them. Also, he has dominated his matchup in every series Minnesota has been in this postseason. Reid’s ability to hit shots from the three-point line, attack the paint, and his improved defensive prowess have helped Minnesota advance to the WCF.
Dallas will need to limit the effectiveness of Reid and the second unit. If they want to beat the Timberwolves tonight and in this series. If the Naz Reid that showed up in Denver appears in this series it could be a short one for the Mavericks.
Key Two: Minnesota has to Limit Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving
The Dallas Mavericks have the most dynamic backcourt duo left in the postseason with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Additionally, both players are healthy and contributing to the Mavericks’ explosive offensive scheme. As a result, Minnesota will need to use its length advantage to limit Doncic and Irving. To force them into difficult or well-contested shots, they have to grab the rebounds. They cannot give Dallas multiple opportunities to put the ball in the basket.
In addition to those things, they have to cut them off from attacking the paint. Giving them paint touches either leads to an easy basket or a high-percentage shooting opportunity for their teammates. The Timberwolves have to communicate and play disciplined defense against them. If they can do that, they should be in great shape to win this game tonight.
Key Three: Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns Must Be the Best Duo
Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are one of the best up-and-coming duos in the association. In this series, they have to be the best duo on the court. Especially, considering they are competing against Doncic and Irving. Additionally, Edwards and Towns have to use their ability to attack the basket to create high-percentage opportunities for their teammates.
Edwards and Towns can get their points whenever they want to. The Timberwolves offense is at its best when their ball movement creates an easy basket opportunity for a player on the court. That only happens because of the unselfishness of their duo.
In order for the Timberwolves to win tonight, they will need them both to play aggressively. Creating opportunities for your teammates is great. However, superstars have to be superstars with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line in this series. Edwards and Towns have to dominate this game on both sides of the ball. For Minnesota to win tonight’s contest and this series.
