This is the second time in the last three years that the Dallas Mavericks have advanced to the Western Conference Finals.
After hitting the Oklahoma City Thunder for 117–The Mavericks, who won Game 6 for 116 points in the series, will face the winner of the second-round series between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves in a decisive Game 7 in Denver on Sunday.
Derrick Jones Jr. didn't have an opinion when asked which opponent he would like to face.
“I'm not really concerned about it,” he said Saturday after Game 6. “I'm going to go outside and lace up my shoes in front of everyone.”
Based on the season series against the Nuggets and Timberwolves, which team would the Mavericks want to face? Just looking at the record, Dallas lost both series to Denver, second in the West, and Minnesota, third in the West, with a rotating cast. When you think about it, it's not that easy.
Season Series vs. Nuggets (Denver won 2-1)
Nov. 3: Nuggets 125, Mavericks 114
After the Mavericks got off to a 4-0 start to the regular season, the Nuggets suffered their first loss of the season. Luka Doncic had 34 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, but also had nine turnovers. Kyrie Irving had 22 points and seven assists. The Mavericks struggled to contain MVP Nikola Jokic, who finished with 33 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists on 14-of-16 shooting from the floor.
Dec. 18: Nuggets 130, Mavericks 104
In the second matchup against the Nuggets, the Mavericks did a better job of containing Jokic, who scored eight points on 3-8 shooting. However, the trio of Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Reggie Jackson each scored over 20 points in the blowout win. Doncic, who was playing despite an illness, led the Mavericks with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Dante Exum was the only Maverick to score in double figures with 11 points. Irving and Derek Lively II missed the game due to injuries.
March 17: Mavericks 107, Nuggets 105
Irving's left-handed floater, which was competing for a playoff spot at the time, beat Jokic and gave the Mavericks a decisive victory. It was the first time the new Mavericks faced the Nuggets since two deadline trades to acquire Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington. With their newfound size, the Mavericks dominated the glass and collected 22 offensive rebounds. Doncic led all scorers with 37 points and 10 rebounds. Irving had 24 points and nine assists.
Season Series vs. Timberwolves (Minnesota wins 3-1)
Dec. 14: Timberwolves 119, Mavericks 101
With Irving out of the lineup, Doncic and the Mavericks were unable to keep pace with the Timberwolves. Doncic finished with 39 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and two steals. Anthony Edwards struggled with nine points on 3-of-19 shooting, while Dallas had no answers for Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid. Towns and Reed combined for 48 points on 16-of-28 shooting.
Dec. 28: Timberwolves 118, Mavericks 110
The Mavericks, playing without Doncic and Irving, were competitive but didn't have enough offense. Tim Hardaway Jr. led the way with 32 points off the bench. Despite struggling in the first game, Edwards scored 44 points on 12-of-23 shooting.
Jan. 7: Mavericks 115, Timberwolves 108
In their only matchup against the Timberwolves, Doncic and Irving combined for 69 points to lead the Mavericks to victory. Edwards led the Timberwolves with a double-double of 36 points and 10 rebounds.
Jan. 31: Timberwolves 121, Mavericks 87
The weakened Mavericks, without Doncic and Irving, kept the game close in the first half, but Minnesota pulled away and won in a landslide. Towns had 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting, nine rebounds and four assists.
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