(Photo : (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)) DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 07: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks embrace after the game at American Airlines Center on January 07, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement
The Western Conference Finals are here!
The Dallas Mavericks will visit the Minnesota Timberwolves to tip off the first game on Wednesday.
The Timberwolves have seen great success this postseason, knocking out Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns as well as Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on their way to the conference finals.
While the Mavericks took care of business, taking out the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first and second rounds.
With their eyes set on an appearance in the NBA Finals, both clubs will be looking to give it their all.
Here are some of the things to watch for in this Western Conference Finals matchup.
All eyes will be on the match between Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic.
They are two of the brightest stars in the league, and both have significantly increased their level of play in the postseason.
After a stellar season, Doncic finished third in MVP voting by posting 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game.
Edwards, who is averaging 28.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in the postseason, took his game to another level this year, having led the Timberwolves to the third seed in a competitive Western Conference.
Timberwolves Defense vs. Mavericks High-Flying Offense
DENVER, COLORADO - Nikola Jokic (#15) of the Denver Nuggets goes to the basket against Anthony Edwards (#5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter at Ball Arena on April 10, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo : Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The Timberwolves leaned heavily on their defense this year, which definitely helped get them through their second-round matchup against the Denver Nuggets.
Minnesota's defense was good enough to hold Jamal Murray to just 40.3% from the field and 33.3% from three.
The question is, can they do enough to hold down the Mavericks' dynamic backcourt?
Throughout the regular season, in games played against the T-Wolves, Luka Doncic averaged 36.5 points, 10.5 assists, and 6.0 rebounds.
The Wolves gave Doncic several different looks, including Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who are some of the best defensive wing players on their roster. However, it resulted in little success.
The Timberwolves may continue to rotate different defenses while pressuring Doncic full-court to wear him out. A strategy that proved to be effective against Murray in the previous matchup.
Kyrie Irving is known for his big-time moments in the postseason and was solid in the Mavericks' second-round matchup against the Thunder, hitting several big shots in the clutch.
Ant-Man is a solid defender in his own right and should enjoy the challenge of guarding one of the best shot makers in the league. Anthony Edwards has already embraced this Irving matchup as he said,
"My matchup will be Kyrie, so that will be fun."
“My matchup is gonna be Kyrie so that’s gonna be fun.”
The rookie Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford should be vital contributors in the series, especially without Maxi Kleber for the Dallas Mavericks.
Both big men played a pivotal role protecting the paint in the series against OKC.
They will need to come up big in order to slow down the Timberwolves' three-headed monster in the paint of Naz Reid, Rudy Gobert, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Gobert, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, has been a crucial part in turning Minnesota into an elite defense. At the same time, Towns has also been ample for the Wolves, carrying some of the scoring load in averaging 18.8 points per game and shooting 44% from three.
Dog Fight of a Series
This series will shake up to be a hard fought one between the two elite teams.
The Timberwolves are riding a lot of momentum after knocking out the Champion Denver Nuggets, but the Mavericks shouldn't be counted out. The Mavs have been impressive since trading for Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington at the deadline, shoring up their interior presence.
The X-Factor for Dallas so far has been P.J. Washington. He came on for the Mavericks in the last series against the Thunder with some big performances with the three-ball, spreading the floor for Doncic and Irving to work more effectively.
