The Minnesota Timberwolves finally closed the game and were able to beat the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night. Also, with the win they earned a chance to go back to Minnesota, for a chance to win two straight over Dallas. Minnesota has to continue to keep things simple against a confident Dallas team. That only needs to win one game over them. Tonight, the Timberwolves will need to use their home court and youth advantage to overwhelm the Mavericks in this contest.
Minnesota’s Keys to a Game Five Victory Over the Mavericks
Key One: Towns and Edwards Need to Dominate
The Timberwolves were able to win game four because Karl Anthony-Towns and Anthony Edwards finally found their offensive rhythm. Towns in particular hit three-straight three-pointers late in the fourth quarter. In order to put his team over the hump in game four before fouling out of the game. However, Edwards had his back and closed the game out. To help the Timberwolves get their first victory in the 2024 Western Conference Finals.
To win tonight’s contest Minnesota’s superstar duo has to dominate the entire game. As they did in the fourth quarter on Tuesday night. Crucially, the Timberwolves have to make it a priority to feed both of them the ball. That will put Towns and Edwards in a great position to get their offensive rhythm going. As a result of that, it should create high-percentage shooting opportunities for their teammates.
Minnesota is at its best when their duo is dominating the game and overwhelming the opposition. If Towns and Edwards combine for at least fifty to sixty-plus points of the Timberwolves final point total. They should be in a great position to win this contest tonight.
Key Two: The Timberwolves Second Unit Has to Beat the Mavs Second Unit
Another significant factor in Tuesday’s victory was the dominance of the Timberwolves’ second unit over the Mavericks’ second unit. Additionally, Minnesota has the reigning Sixth Man of the Year on their roster in Naz Reid. He has continued his 2024 postseason of dominance and has been a big-time scorer for the Timberwolves.
As a result of his dominance the Timberwolves’ second unit has kept them afloat in the previous games in this series. Also, role players usually play better on their home floor. So, if Reid can get his teammates to contribute points as well Minnesota will be able to beat Dallas tonight and avoid elimination. Ultimately if Minnesota’s bench can continue to dominate Dallas’ they’ll be in a great position.
Key Three: Minnesota Has to Slow Down Kyrie and Luka
Minnesota has one of the best defenses in the league. Their defensive dominance finally appeared in game four and they were able to keep Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic in check in the fourth quarter of game four. While making Irving and Doncic work on both sides of the ball helped tire them out and allowed Minnesota to pull away late in the contest.
The Timberwolves need to bring that defensive prowess from Tuesday to tonight’s game. They were able to force Doncic and Irving into difficult shots. That slowed the Mavericks’ explosive offense down. Also, when they decide to impose their will on the defensive front by shutting down the Mavericks’ easy basket opportunities this is a recipe for success. Dallas cannot compete with them when they become a half-court team. Furthermore, if Minnesota can grab rebounds and force Dallas to turn the ball over, they can win tonight and avoid elimination.
