Roundtable: Mavericks vs Timberwolves series predictions
With the Dallas Mavericks facing off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals, it’s time to ask our staff to give their series prediction and why.
Isaac: Mavs in six. Anthony Edwards has had his magical postseason run, he’s taken out the defending champions and he’s had his moments with KD. This is where the run ends. Luka Dončić has had his tamest postseason yet and the Mavericks have still looked dominant. This is his moment to stamp himself as the best player in the world and he will not fall short this time. Kyrie Irving’s resurgence will be much-needed as well. Minnesota is a good team and they will be a threat in this series. Dallas cannot take them lightly, but I believe, when it’s all said and done, Dallas will be hoisting the WCF Trophy on their homecourt.
Matthew: Mavericks in five because the Mavericks have better playmaking and shot creation. Shot creation will be the deciding factor because both teams are truly elite defenses which make getting a good shot so difficult. Anthony Edwards is a transcendent talent, but he can’t crest like Luka Doncic and Karl Anthony-Towns isn’t the offensive hub that Kyrie Irving is as a secondary creator. In a rock fight, having the best rocks is the most important factor.
Xavier: Mavs in 7. There will be a game where our role players don’t show up. There will be a game where KAT has one of his occasional great games and a game where Anthony Edwards is unstoppable. Ultimately, I think this series will be a defensive battle but I am certain we have the best player on the court. In games where baskets are hard to come by and you’ve made every adjustment possible, individual brilliance is the difference maker and we have Luka Doncic. Anthony Edwards is well on his way to being a player capable of leading his team to a title. I truly believe Luka has already reached that stage and he has just enough around him to give the team a chance.
Matt: Mavs in five. I think this team can sense what kind of an opportunity they have here, and I think that’s going to make Luka and Kyrie even more deadly. The squad is hitting on all cylinders right now and the vibes are off the charts.
Brent: Mavs in six. The Denver series was mostly lopsided results and much of Edwards stretches of inefficiency were covered over by the overall result - including game 7. I’m not sure that Minnesota will get away with Edwards having games where he shoots under 30% from the field. The Mavericks defense is good enough to shut off the water elsewhere and put pressure on Edwards to generate offense. He may be able to put on the red cape and carry his team once or twice but I don’t see Minnesota generating enough offense all the way around to bring it home. Also, Towns is prone to bad fouls, bad passes, and all around moments of boneheaded play. He is more of a visceral player than a cerebral one. This is contrasted with the calm, heady, and ethereal play of Irving. I also agree with some of our other staffers that we are about to see the best out of Doncic. Three consecutive triple doubles followed by a little bit of extra rest gives him the best chance to propel Dallas to a game one victory. Even if Dallas comes up short in game 1 as they always seem to do, I believe they will still win the series in six games.
David: I have the Mavericks in 6 games. They’ll lose one because of Jason Kidd like they always do and another one to variance. But Dallas has the team to beat Minnesota and Luka Doncic will have a legacy series to get it done.
Kirk: Mavericks in six games, but if they win game one, I’ll amend to it being a gentleman’s sweep. Josh convinced me on the preview podcast that Dallas can stymie the Minnesota defense pretty badly and the Mavericks have better scoring.
