Xijue - Lone Rangers 1-0, Timberwolves Eastern Europe team up with 63 points, Edwards 19+11+8
The NBA playoffs continued, and the Dallas Mavericks scored a good start in the Western Conference Finals. Dong Qiqi scored 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Owen scored 30 points. They led the team to a small climax in the last quarter to overtake and take the lead. The Mavericks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-105 in their opening game of the Western Conference Finals. The Mavericks are leading 1-0 and have secured a home advantage in the series, with both teams remaining in Minnesota for the second game of the series.
The Mavericks' Dong Qiqi scored 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists, Owen scored 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, Washington scored 13 points and 7 rebounds, Garford scored 10 points and 9 rebounds, and Lively scored 9 points and 11 rebounds. McDaniels of the Timberwolves scored 24 points and 4 rebounds, Edwards scored 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, Downs scored 16 points and 7 rebounds, Reed scored 15 points and 5 rebounds, Goebbels scored 12 points and 7 rebounds, and Anderson scored 11 points.
After the opening 6 draws, McDaniels had a good feeling and scored 3 three pointers in a row. He led the team to a small climax of 10-2, with the Timberwolves leading 16-8. Owen made a strong effort to chase for 4 points in a row, while the Timberwolves counterattacked by 5 points to expand their advantage. Washington made a three pointer, while Owen scored another 5 points. They led the team to an 11-0 counterattack, and with 2 minutes and 20 seconds left in the first quarter, the Mavericks made a 23-21 comeback. Anderson countered with three pointers, Dong Qiqi broke through successfully, Edwards made a three pointer and led the team to a 7-point run, ending the first quarter. The Timberwolves were leading by 6 points with a score of 33-27. Irving scored 13 points in a single section.
Shortly after the start of the second quarter, the Timberwolves scored 4 points in a row, leading 41-32. Dong Qiqi scored 5 points and led the team to launch a 9-2 counterattack, narrowing the gap to 2 points for the Mavericks. The Timberwolves fired again from the outside, with Reed, Towns, and McDaniels taking turns shooting three pointers. In the first three minutes of halftime, the Timberwolves were leading 52-45. Irving and Washington regained 5 points, Edwards counterattacked with 5 points to stabilize the situation, Irving maintained his attacking prowess and scored another 5 points. At the end of half, the Mavericks were trailing by 3 points with a score of 59-62.
McDaniels of the Timberwolves scored 19 points in the first half, Edwards scored 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Anderson scored 11 points; Irving of the Mavericks scored 24 points, while Dongqiqi scored 14 points and provided 5 assists.
Both sides scored a few points at the beginning of the third quarter, and the Mavericks scored 4 points in a row to overtake 67-66. Downs and Conley countered with 5 runs to regain the lead, Dongcheqi scored 4 runs with free throws, Owen made a jump shot, and the Mavericks tied 77 with 4 minutes and 45 seconds left in the quarter. Walker broke through well, Green countered with three pointers to help the team overtake, Reed hit three pointers, Garford dunked well, Reed made two free throws and made one. At the end of the third quarter, the Timberwolves were leading by one point with a score of 83-82.
Reed opened the curtain of the fourth quarter with a three pointer, Owen made two free throws and countered. McDaniels hit a three pointer, and Dong Qiqi scored 9 points to lead the team to a small climax of 13-0. In the fourth quarter, at 4:30 seconds, the Mavericks took a 97-89 lead. Edwards stopped bleeding with three pointers, Dong Qiqi made two free throws and one hit. Downs and Edwards each hit three pointers, leading the team to 10 consecutive points. The Timberwolves regained the lead with a score of 102-98. Dong Qiqi retaliated with three pointers, and Washington also hit three pointers, giving the Mavericks a 104-102 lead. Tang Si missed a dunk and was criticized for interfering with the shot. Conley made a pass mistake, and Dong Qiqi won the singles. With 49.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Mavericks led 106-102.
The Timberwolves called for two pauses in a row, Tang Si missed three pointers, and Reed made a good layup. The Timberwolves fell behind 104-106. Irving was fouled, hit both free throws, and with 7 seconds left, the Mavericks continued to lead by 4 points. Conley threw a three pointer and was fouled. He hit one in the first two free throws and intentionally missed the third one. Owen grabbed a rebound and the Mavericks narrowly won 108-105.
The starting lineup of the Mavericks: Dongqi Qi, Owen, Jones, Washington, Garford
Timberwolves starting lineup: Conley, Edwards, McDaniels, Downs, Goebbels
