The Western Finals do not seem to give more of themselves. So far, whether the tie lasts more or less, the amazing adventure of the Dallas Mavericks has come. Warriors are heading to another NBA Finals. The age Curry–Thompson–Green–Kerr still very much alive.
They beat the Warriors 100-109 in Dallas to go 3-0 in the series, that 3-0 from which no one has ever come back in the NBA. The Mavericks have an impossibility ahead of them, both for history and for the quality of the contending teams.
Golden State’s splendid defense in the first three quarters, dominance of the rebound throughout the game and good ball movement once again to assist 28 of the 38 baskets scored against a rival who was condemned again since his abusive bet on the triple. These healthy Warriors are an up-and-coming team, and that’s what they’re up to.
Stephen Curry had 31 points and 11 assists and Andrew Wiggins He added 27 points, 11 rebounds and a stratospheric dunk that became the play of the night.
It was a tremendous poster from the visiting forward to Luka Doncic, a blow of biblical proportions in the face of the Slovenian. It happened in the last quarter. The referees initially called Wiggins an offensive foul, and it could have been, but Kerr’s review caused that foul to be rescinded and the basket to go up on the scoreboard. The referee’s decision was pure poetic justice -it is not so clear that it was sports justice-. Even Doncic surrendered after the game to Wiggins’ action, which he called impressive. Here it is.
Beyond that tremendous dunk, Golden State dominated the second half after a close first half that ended 47-48.
The Californian team got to a 14 lead (64-78) playing the third act after a triple by Curry, but the fourth ended with a 68-78 that still gave Dallas hope.
The fourth quarter was a full-fledged display from Luka Doncic, who had 21 points in the quarter to finish with 40, but that display never really embarrassed a very solid Warriors in which Wiggins shone down the stretch.
At 11:19 of the conclusion he hurt his shoulder Reggie Bullockwho had a night to forget with 0 of 10 shooting from the field (between him and Max Glue they missed 12 triples without making a single one).
The visitors reached a 14-point lead a couple of times in the last period, but the locals resisted, guided by Doncic, until they went 99-104 with three-pointers from the Slovenian and a Spencer Dinwiddie that this time he did appear at a competitive level. But then came the three-pointer that was worth half a game, a three-pointer from Jordan Poole that 54.5 seconds from the end put the 99-107.
On the winning team, in addition to the successful night of Curry and Wiggins, 19 points from Klay Thompson (but with 6 of 18 shooting), good help from Poole, Draymond Green and Kevon Looneywho played 29 minutes, and 5 minutes of action for the Mexican Juan Toscano-Anderson.
In Dallas, 40 points and 11 rebounds for Luka Doncic, who made 14 of 17 free throws and a great triple at the buzzer in the first quarter, 26 points from Dinwiddie and 20 from Jalen Brunson. Or what is the same: 3 Dallas players scored 86 of the 100 points of the team, which does not speak well of the collective game of the Texans.
Doncic makes his eighth playoff game of 40 or more points, beating the 7 he completed in his career Dirk Nowitzki8 spectacular matches of the Slovenian that were settled with mark of 2-6.
Warriors are after this victory one step away from the 2022 Finals. Kerr’s team is back in the place from which it left after the eventful and unfortunate loss of 2019 against Raptors. Only an impossible can prevent the winning scenario of the San Francisco squad.
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