Foreword: The strong performances of Irving and Doncic have given the Mavericks a good start to a three-game winning streak. This time against the Timberwolves, the No. 1 team in the West, the Mavericks successfully won narrowly, which also played a great role in supporting the team's recent form. In the game, Irving contributed 35 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists, while Doncic also delivered a strong performance of 34 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists, and the two combined for 69 points on an efficient offense, which became the key to the team's victory.
1. The Mavericks ushered in 3 consecutive wins
The Mavericks have been in good shape this season, especially after the return of Irving, and the team's overall competitiveness has been greatly improved. In the latest wave of road games, the Mavericks have managed to win three in a row, defeating the Nets, Celtics and Bulls, and the team's morale and confidence have been significantly improved.
In these three games, Irving's performance was excellent, averaging 30+ points per game, fully demonstrating his ability and dominance as the team's top scorer. In contrast, Doncic's form has been a little sluggish, but his playmaking and passing skills are still excellent, and he has helped the team on the offensive end.
In today's game, Doncic finally regained his touch, playing 37 minutes on the court, scoring 34 points on 8-of-14 shooting, hitting 7 three-pointers, and 6 rebounds and 8 assists.
And Irving also continued his strong performance, he played longer and shot higher, and finally scored 35 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists, becoming the team's scoring champion, helping the Mavericks successfully beat their opponents and ushered in a wave of 3 consecutive wins.
Second, the Timberwolves suffered two consecutive defeats
Compared to the good form of the Mavericks, the Timberwolves, who have been at the top of the Western Conference this season, have suffered some setbacks, and the team's recent form has slipped slightly, and they have also suffered two consecutive defeats.
In a previous game, the Timberwolves had challenged the Suns away and suffered their first loss of the season. In this game, the team's overall feel and shooting rate have declined, especially the interior operation has been affected to a certain extent, and the team's rebounding protection work is not good, which has also become one of the main reasons for the defeat.
In the game against the Mavericks, the Timberwolves' performance improved, especially Edwards's individual performance was very eye-catching, he played 39 minutes, cut 36 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, and became the team's scoring champion. Under his leadership, the Timberwolves' offensive end is very hot, and the overall shooting rate has also improved significantly, which can tie the score for a while, and even overtake the Mavericks, creating some trouble for the opponent.
But unfortunately, the performance of other players was inconsistent, and the rebounding protection and defensive end could not keep up, and in the end, the team was still unable to hold the score and suffered an embarrassing situation of two consecutive defeats.
3. Irving Doncic's tacit cooperation
To be able to win three in a row, the Mavericks played very well, especially the tacit cooperation between Irving and Doncic brought great help to the team.
Both players were able to make the most of each other with opportunities and space on both the offensive and defensive ends, giving the team a diverse attacking threat and making it difficult for opponents to target.
Especially in the key moments of the game, it was Irving and Doncic who stepped up, and they each showed great shooting ability from beyond the three-point line to help the team re-establish the lead, and finally managed to hold the score and narrow the opponent.
In the team's offensive system, the role of these two players is not only to score, they can both be strong playmakers, adjust and change their roles at any time according to the actual situation of the game, deliver firepower to the offensive end of the team, or help other teammates find better opportunities, and achieve a better operation of the team's offensive system.
Conclusion: The Mavericks' narrow victory over the top spot in the West has undoubtedly injected more confidence and motivation into the team, and also made their playoff spot more secure.
The loss of the Timberwolves also made them see some areas for improvement and improvement, and I believe that in the next games, both teams will be able to make better adjustments and usher in better performances.