Dallas, TX

Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Game 3 Preview: 3 things as Dallas looks to put Minnesota on the brink

Published

3 weeks ago

May 25, 2024

Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Game 3 Preview: 3 things as Dallas looks to put Minnesota on the brink

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks return to Texas as conquering heroes and with a 2-0 series lead; two games on the road won by a total margin of four points. After Denver and Minnesota took turns exchanging blowouts, this series has been a “you bought the whole seat but you’ll only need the edge of it” non-stop thrill ride.

Taking the 2-0 lead is a huge accomplishment for sure, but there’s no sense that this is a team that is going to rest on their laurels. Without tempering the post-game celebration too much, Coach Jason Kidd reminded his team that they’d just stolen two games on the road – Minnesota was no doubt going to try and do the same. The Mavs should be riding high, but there’s work to be done in Dallas.

Take command

In their previous two series, with a 2-1 series lead, the Mavericks had opportunities in game four to take a commanding series lead. It doesn’t take advanced stats to tell you being up 3-1 is a world apart from being knotted up with two wins apiece. However, after a 31-point comeback against the Clippers, and despite leading nearly the entire game against the Thunder, Dallas wasn’t able to clinch either of those game fours. It’s a little surprising considering Dallas has often looked like the best closing teams in these playoffs, able to lean on Doncic and Kyrie Irving in the clutch to bring home the win.

Now, up 2-0, the Mavericks have another shot at putting the opponent on the brink. They deserve enormous credit for how resilient they’ve been, never losing back-to-back games this postseason, bouncing back strong from that pair of game-four losses. But it’d be nice to see this team assert their will and put themselves in an overwhelmingly dominant position. Not that the job is done at 3-0, but a larger margin for error is always welcome. (Plus, not to look ahead, but it doesn’t seem like the Pacers are going to provide much more than nominal resistance to Boston’s path to the finals, especially if Tyrese Haliburton is out for game three.)

No notes, keep it up

Dallas’ defensive track record speaks for itself in these playoffs (unless you’re a national NBA talking head who just thinks Dallas’ opponents just keep missing shots). In particular, they have made scoring in the paint a nightmare for opposing teams all playoffs. That has held true against Minnesota, even with Rudy Gobert down low and Anthony Edwards trying to attack the rim.

In the first round, Edwards was scoring 30% of his points in the paint. In the next round, against Denver, the number jumped to just north of 43% of his points. Against Dallas, Ant is scoring just 15% of his points in the paint.

With Dallas’ concerted effort to close down the paint and restricted areas to any and all opposing players, teams have been more reliant on jump shots and three-pointers. Edwards, who has by his own admission been gassed at the end of games, has had to rely more on on his outside shot to put points on the board. Tired legs and long jumpers just don’t mix. Minnesota’s scoring output has fallen precipitously in each of the first two games the longer they played, often lucky to pass the 20-point mark in the fourth.

The Mavericks’ defense is body blows all game long. They need to continue to wear teams down, guard the paint with their lives, and live with the occasional hot game by the Naz Reid’s of the world.

All out blitz

After a game where Doncic had a 32-point triple-double and shot over 45% from three, it’s not a wild expectation that Minnesota will try to do all they can to limit Doncic; even if it means giving up good looks for other players.

After a series where P.J. Washington and Derrick Jones Jr. took turns lighting it up from deep, both have been a little quieter on the offensive side this series. In two games, Washington is just 2-of-12 from deep while Jones Jr. is 0-for-5.

Those two are too important to Dallas’ defense to be out of the game for long, but when they’re not knocking down shots, it forces Coach Kidd to search for a spark from someone else off the bench. In game two, he was cycling through Jaden Hardy, Tim Hardaway Jr, and Dante Exum during a second quarter where the Wolves were building their 18-point lead, hoping one of them would provide some pushback on the scoreboard. The rotations are just a little easier to pilot if he can count on some offense from one of his starting wings.

Washington and DJJ are both due for a hot shooting game, and if Minnesota decides to sell out to stop Doncic at all costs, the shots will be there for them. They just need to knock ‘em down.

How to watch

You can broadcast or stream the game on TNT at 7:00 p.m. CDT.

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Dallas, TX

Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks picks, predictions: Who wins Game 5 of 2024 NBA Finals?

Published

7 hours ago

June 16, 2024

Press Room

Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks picks, predictions: Who wins Game 5 of 2024 NBA Finals?

The Boston Celtics will now try for the second time to win an NBA record 18th championship while the Mavericks will try to force the series back to Dallas when they play Game 5 Monday in Boston.

Dallas is coming off the third-biggest win in Finals history after a 38-point rout of Boston in Game 4, and the Mavericks have now outscored the Celtics in the series. Obviously more importantly, they still trail 3-1.

What is the schedule?

Game 1 Boston 107, Dallas 89

Game 2 Boston 105, Dallas 98

Game 3 Boston 106, Dallas 99

Game 4 Dallas 122, Boston 84

Game 5 Dallas at Boston, Monday, June 17, 6:30 p.m. Mountain/7:30 p.m. Central, ABC

Game 6 (if necessary) Boston at Dallas, Thursday, June 20, 6:30 p.m. Mountain/7:30 p.m. Central, ABC

Game 7 (if necessary) Dallas at Boston, Sunday, June 23, 6 p.m. Mountain/7:30 p.m. Central, ABC

Who is favored in Game 5?

Boston is a 6.5-point favorite on their home court. Boston is -286 on the money line while Dallas is +228..

Who is favored to win the series?

Boston is -3500. Dallas is +1400.

Who is favored to win MVP?

Jaylen Brown: -250

Jayson Tatum: +250

Luka Doncic: +1200

Jrue Holiday: +5000

Derrick White: +15000

Kyrie Irving: +20000

What are picks for Game 5?

Bleacher Nation: Celtics 119, Mavericks 108

ESPN: Celtics have a 70.7% chance to beat Mavericks in Game 5.

Sports Betting Dime: Celtics 121.3, Mavericks 114.3.

Odds Trader: Celtics 108, Mavericks 102.

FOX Sports: Celtics 119, Mavericks 108.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

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Dallas, TX

FC Dallas Dominates St. Louis CITY SC in Peter Luccin’s Triumphant Debut

Published

14 hours ago

June 16, 2024

Press Room

FC Dallas Dominates St. Louis CITY SC in Peter Luccin’s Triumphant Debut

FC Dallas took a crucial step towards recovery in the Major League Soccer (MLS) season by defeating St. Louis CITY SC 2-0. Under interim coach Peter Luccin, the Texans displayed cohesive and determined soccer, showcasing not only in their victory but also in the affirmation of talents like Jesús Ferreira and Nkosi Tafari.

The game started well for FC Dallas, as Ferreira skillfully converted a penalty in the 28th minute, putting the team ahead. This goal not only highlighted the player’s technical ability but also his importance in Luccin’s attacking setup.

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Another standout was Nkosi Tafari, whose headed goal from a corner not only reinforced his defensive capabilities but also his presence in attacking set pieces. This marked Tafari’s first goal of the regular season, adding to his five career goals for FC Dallas. His contribution exemplifies the balance Luccin seeks between defensive solidity and effectiveness in offensive opportunities.

In addition to the goals, the defense led by goalkeeper Maarten Paes deserves praise, especially for his eight crucial saves that secured the team’s fourth clean sheet of 2024.

The night also marked a historic milestone for FC Dallas, with their eighth consecutive sellout at Toyota Stadium in 2024.

Peter Luccin’s successful debut as interim coach should not be underestimated. Following in the footsteps of Colin Clarke and Marco Ferruzzi, Luccin not only proves himself a suitable choice to lead FC Dallas during this transitional period but also emerges as a legitimate candidate for permanent leadership should the positive results continue.

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Dallas, TX

FC Dallas gets win over St. Louis in interim manager Peter Luccin’s debut

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2024

Press Room

FC Dallas gets win over St. Louis in interim manager Peter Luccin’s debut

The first match for FC Dallas under interim manager Luccin was a rollercoaster of a win.

Last Sunday, FC Dallas announced the departure of third-year manager Nico Estévez after a start to the season that saw them second from bottom in the MLS’ Western Conference and without a singular road win.

Looking for a new manager bounce on Saturday, and their first win since May 12, FC Dallas got that with a 2-0 win over fellow Western Conference bottom dweller St. Louis City SC.

The win was far from pretty, as with just 20 minutes gone in the match, St. Louis’ midfielder Célio Pompeu suffered a gruesome ankle injury that stopped the match for multiple minutes. Pompeu left the field on a stretcher and with an air cast affixed to his foot. Both sides were visibly shaken afterward.

FC Dallas gets first win under interim manager Peter Luccin

In the 28th minute, FC Dallas’ Paul Arriola went down after a physical challenge in the St. Louis penalty area, winning a penalty kick. FCD’s Jesús Ferreira stepped up to bury the penalty past St. Louis’ Roman Bürki.

The same St. Louis defender that gave up the penalty, Joakim Nilsson, left the match in the 36th minute shortly after he pulled up with a hamstring injury.

In the second half, FCD was thoroughly outplayed by St. Louis, having to bunker in and rely on keeper Maarten Paes to make heroic save after save to keep the visitors at bay and their narrow one-goal lead intact. Through the 2024 season, Paes has been incredibly reliable in goal, despite FCD’s poor form.

Against the run of play, FC Dallas’s record-signing Petar Musa found the back of the net in the 72nd minute, only for the goal to be ruled out after a brief VAR review.

St. Louis struggled to take advantage of their stranglehold of possession for the remainder of the second half. Spurning chance after chance, with seldom opportunities coming for FCD on the break. That was until the 81st minute when FCD defender Nkosi Tafari headed in a cross for Dallas’ second goal on the evening. Tafari after scoring sprinted over to the FCD touchline and celebrated with interim manager Peter Luccin.

FC Dallas’ win on the season brings them to 17 points — one shy of St. Louis’ 18 — and more importantly, starts Luccin’s reign on a positive note.

The real test for FC Dallas will come this upcoming Wednesday when they face Minnesota United at Toyota Stadium. Minnesota is in third place in the Western Conference. The last time the two clubs matched up was former manager Estévez’s final game in charge, ending in a 1-1 draw at Allianz Field.

Find more FC Dallas coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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