Dallas Mavericks rally from 18 points to beat Timberwolves: 3 game-changing plays

You can never underestimate the Dallas Mavericks. They overcame a 17-point deficit in Game 6 against Oklahoma City to win the series, but they’ll need to come back from an 18-point deficit in this one.

Everything that could go wrong in the first half happened. Dallas couldn’t get a rebound, make a free throw or defend a ball screen in the first 20 minutes. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns got to the free throw line and Naz Reid was making shots, but Dallas just couldn’t get going.

Minnesota led 58-40 with just under four minutes left in the first half, and that’s where the game resumed.

Read more: Luka Doncic’s game-winning goal gives Dallas Mavericks 2-0 lead over Timberwolves

It’s hard to pick just three plays in a game like this, but I don’t think Dallas would have won the game without this play before halftime.

It started with Luka Doncic lobbing a pass to Derek Lively II. He lobbed Lively on the next possession, and Dallas did it again that night. Minnesota was so focused on Doncic and him getting to the rim that they allowed the lob passes to Lively and Daniel Gafford.

The Mavericks went on an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 12 by halftime, and maybe 10 with another Kyrie Irving lob, but it was enough to give Dallas a chance in the second half. I think Charles Barkley said at halftime that Minnesota lost because of what happened before halftime, and I agree with you on that point.

There are a lot of plays in this game that you could pick out: Kyrie Irving’s nine points in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter, Derek Lively II denying Anthony Edwards possession to allow Luka to score the game-winning point, Gafford’s incredible block on one goal and an even more incredible scoop finish on the other, Irving’s third-down-five with just over a minute left to cut the lead to two points — plays that made all the difference.

This was originally a foul by Dallas, but Kyrie Irving hit Jaden McDaniels on the wrist and the ball went out of bounds, so Irving instructed Jason Kidd to challenge it. Since officials cannot retroactively call fouls on reviews, and can only determine who the ball went out of bounds, this was a great call and Dallas was awarded the ball.

Irving had just cut the lead to one possession with a 3-pointer on the previous possession, and instead of Minnesota getting a chance to score on a baseline out-of-bounds play, Dallas got the ball in the final minute.

But that rule may need to change. It’s clear that Irving committed a foul with his wrist, but the refs can’t call it that. I wouldn’t be surprised if that changes this offseason.

Read more: Luka Doncic sinks Timberwolves with game-winning 3-pointer in WCF Game 2

Well, duh. This should have been in there. Luka Doncic got the Defensive Player of the Year dancing and then drilled his signature step-back three-pointer for the game-winner. Doncic had only made one field goal in the fourth quarter, and it was this shot that sealed the comeback for Dallas.

Doncic, whose passing was particularly impressive in the third quarter, ended up with 32 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, giving him his fifth triple-double this postseason.

Kyrie Irving struggled early but finished with 20 points on four 3-pointers (all in the fourth quarter) and six assists. He was the driving force behind Dallas’ early fourth quarter, which saw the team switch leads 11 times in the final eight minutes.

Dallas’ big men were outstanding for the second straight game, as Daniel Gafford and Derek Lively II combined for 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks (all 5 by Gafford) while shooting 16-for-14 from the field. They continued to lob passes and finish them. They struggled to rebound in the first half, but played much better in the second half.

The Mavericks won the game despite Irving shooting 15-of-22 from the free throw line, including two late misses, to Minnesota’s 26-of-32. Minnesota has a lot to talk about heading into Game 3.

First, Karl-Anthony Towns must be frustrated after making just 4-of-16 shots in the game and being benched in the fourth quarter. He played just 26 minutes. Naz Reid was great for the Timberwolves, scoring a team-high 23 points on 7-of-9 three-pointers. I give the Minnesota coaching staff a lot of credit for making the tough decision and riding Reid’s momentum. Reid was the only source of offense in the fourth quarter, but Towns is a highly paid player and he’s going to be upset. There will be backlash.

Anthony Edwards scored 21 points but shot just 5-of-17 from the field and 2-of-7 from the 3-point range. He would have had little impact in the game had he not shot 9-of-10 from the free throw line. Minnesota’s coaches will need to figure out how to conserve Edwards defensively and have others guard Irving, because Edwards was clearly exhausted on the court.

Despite winning both games on the road, the series isn’t over yet. Dallas was in this situation three seasons ago against the Clippers, but that series ended in failure. Minnesota won both games in Denver in just their last series, but then the Nuggets took the series to seven games. They must defend their home court in Dallas, starting with Game 3 on Sunday at 7 p.m. CST.

Read more: Stephen A. Smith thinks Jalen Brunson should be better than Luka Doncic in the NBA

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