Here’s what Dallas Morning News columnists and beat writers predict will be the outcome of the Western Conference finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Tim Cowlishaw, columnist
Expect the scoring for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to rise after being held to combined 40 points per game by tough OKC perimeter defense. Expect the Mavs to have much tougher time on the boards against a big, physical Minnesota defense. This is Dallas’ second trip to conference finals in three years. Even if it feels like Jason Kidd and Doncic are the only key holdovers from 2022, at least they have familiarity with the terrain. Minnesota does not. Expect some wild games (Dallas tends to lose big when it loses), but I don’t think Anthony Edwards will consistently do the damage that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did in the second round. Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford will have to play to the very upper reaches of their capabilities against T-Wolves’ bigs. Mavericks in 7.
Mike Curtis, Mavs beat writer
The Mavericks are the underdogs for a third straight series, with the Timberwolves favored to win the Western Conference finals after dethroning the 2023 champion Denver Nuggets. Dallas has yet to lose consecutive games in the playoffs, which means they’re able to bounce back and recalibrate quickly. Against the defensive juggernaut that is Minnesota, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will need to take their games to another level. You can count on Anthony Edwards to show up, but I’m not sure if Minnesota has enough firepower on offense to keep up with Dallas. Mavericks in six.
Kevin Sherrington, columnist
The Mavs’ best chance is to steal a game early while Minnesota is still recovering from a heavyweight bout that went the distance against Denver. They have the size for the Timberwolves, and they know how to counteract Rudy Gobert. But they won’t be able to push around the Wolves like they did Oklahoma City. For the Mavs to steal this series, everyone has to come up big. Minnesota in 7.
Brad Townsend, Mavs beat writer
I’ve covered the NBA for three decades and can’t recall making a more difficult, razor-thin-margin pick. Had the Mavericks’ opponent been Denver, I would have taken Dallas, but I have a feeling Minnesota’s 35 seasons of pent-up home crowd title-yearning will edge out the Mavericks’ puzzling spotty moments in AAC. Minnesota in 7.
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