The Minnesota Timberwolves lost a heartbreaker to the Dallas Mavericks by a score of 110 - 108 on Monday night and fell to 2.5 games behind the Mavericks for the 5th seed in the West.
BADER'S TAKE
This Minnesota team doesn't quit. even though they came up short tonight.
They missed too many shots throughout the game that ultimately hurt them. They played strong defense on Doncic, but couldn't adapt to guard Powell and Dinwiddie and the Dallas starters.
They started the game well, but they dug themselves too deep of a hole to climb out of.
It was a courageous effort by Minnesota, but the missed shots and poor reffing caused them to drop the game.
Minnesota needs to be much defensively on Wednesday against the big flying Suns if they want to get back in the win column.
Regardless, this was a big loss, however not the end of the World. The 6th seed and 5th seed are still in sight and within striking distance.
Game Recap:
The Wolves entered the game against the Mavericks only 1.5 games behind them for 5th place in the West. To say it would be a huge game, would be an understatement.
After a lengthy rain delay - yes a rain delay for a basketball game - the two teams went head to head in a tightly contested affair.
Both teams traded shots early and neither team could create separation.
D'Angelo Russel was on fire early for the Wolves. His shot looked silky smooth and if the Wolves were to come away with a big win they needed him to stay hot.
The Wolves ended the first quarter on a 9-1 scoring run and went into the second quarter with the lead, 29-23.
DLO had 10 points and Karl Anthony Towns had six. However, their defense on Luka Doncic was the highlight in the first quarter. They held the MVP candidate to zero points.
Minnesota needed to continue their game plan and not allow Doncic any easy looks.
The Mavericks made their first two shots of the second quarter to tighten the grip on the Wolves' lead.
Mavericks slowed the game down which worked in their favor and disrupted the Wolves' offense.
The game remained close until about the midway mark of the second quarter. With KAT on the bench to start the quarter, Dallas made the most of him being on the bench.
With 1:25 left in the second quarter, the mavericks had their biggest lead of the game at eight, 58-50.
Minnesota fought back late in the quarter and went into halftime only down by six, 60-54.
The Wolves did not match the intensity and level of play that the Mavericks had in the second quarter.
They held Doncic to just seven points in the first half, however, Dwight Powell and Spencer Dinwiddie were on fire early. Powell had 16 points and Dinwiddie had 12 in the first half.
The Wolves needed their guys to hit if they were to have a chance at coming back. DLO was the only Wolves player with double-digit points with 12. Kat had six and Anthony Edwards had five points.
Dallas started the third quarter on a 10-0 scoring run to push the lead to 14, 70-56. For the most part, the Mavericks controlled the entire quarter.
Minnesota got their act together and made a push late in the third quarter to get within five to end the quarter and go into the fourth.
ANT was excellent in the third quarter for the Wolves and was the main reason for Minnesota getting back into the game.
The Mavericks played the quarter at their pace and played amazing defense on Minnesota forcing them to take difficult shots.
The Mavericks started the fourth quarter hot and went on a 5-0 scoring run to push the lead to 10.
Minnesota was not going to go away quietly in the night. They kept the game within reach and with 7:38 left in the game, the Wolves brought the deficit to three, 95-92 Dallas.
With four minutes left in the game, Minnesota knotted the game at 99 apiece. They had the momentum and the swagger.
Minnesota went on an 11-1 scoring run to grab the three-point lead, 103-100 with 3:23 left to play.
The two teams went back and forth late in the game.
With 1:14 left, Dallas retook the lead, 107-103. The Mavericks responded to the Wolves' run with their own scoring run.
The end of the game was certainly a crazy one. The Wolves had two chances to score a three-pointer, but the refs blew the play dead before and didn't count any buckets.
These two teams will meet each other on Friday in the Twin Cities in what is sure to be a heated affair.
What's Next:
Minnesota hosts the Pheonix Suns, who sit in the first place and have already clinched a postseason spot on Wednesday. It seems that each game down the stretch will have huge implications on whether Minnesota makes the playoffs or will have to settle for the play-in tournament.
Minnesota lost both of the prior meetings to the Suns, however, both games were competitive and fans can expect another tightly contested game.
With the loss tonight, the Wolves now sit 2.5 games behind 5th place and they need Denver to lose to the Clippers on Tuesday to retain their spot in 6th. If Denver were to win the game, the Wolves would drop back to 7th. If Minnesota wants to continue to make a push for the 6th and or 5th seed, they cannot afford to drop games.
Wednesday, March 23, 2022. at 8:00 p. m. central time
Author: Alex Bader
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