The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Dallas Mavericks for Game 1 of their best-of-seven NBA Conference Finals series at Target Center on Wednesday, May 22 (5/22/2024).
How to watch: Stream the 2024 NBA Playoffs on DirecTV Stream (free trial).
Here’s what you need to know:
What: NBA Conference Finals, Game 1
Who: Mavericks @ Timberwolves
When: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Time: 8:30 p.m. EDT
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: TNT/truTV
Channel finder: Verizon Fios, Xfinity, Spectrum, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DirecTV
Live stream: DirecTV Stream (free trial), Sling (half off first month), Hulu + Live TV, MAX
It’s set to be a titanic showdown, as all eyes turn towards big men Daniel Gafford and rookie Dereck Lively II as they prepare to take on the towering Timberwolves, led by Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. And we’re not just talking about stature, as All-Stars Luka Doncic of Dallas and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards are also set to clash during this highly anticipated Western Conference Final.
It took the T-wolves seven games to oust the Denver Nuggets — the 2023 defending champs — from the playoffs. In Game 7, Jaden McDaniels and Karl-Anthony Towns each had 23 points to lead Minnesota to victory, and Towns grabbed 12 boards for the double-double.
Dallas handled the Oklahoma City Thunder in just six games, with a razor thin 117-116 win in Game 6 that was back-and-forth in the final tense minutes of action. It all boiled down to P.J. Washington’s pair of good free throws with two seconds on the clock to push Dallas over the edge.
Here’s the full series schedule:
- Wednesday, 5/22:Mavericks @ Timberwolves Game 1, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Friday, 5/24:Mavericks @ Timberwolves Game 2, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Sunday, May 26:Timberwolves @ Mavericks Game 3, 8 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, May 28:Timberwolves @ Mavericks Game 4, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Thursday, May 30:Mavericks @ Timberwolves Game 5, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
- Saturday, June 1:Timberwolves @ Mavericks Game 6, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
- Monday, June 3:Mavericks @ Timberwolves Game 7, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
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Can I bet on the game?
Yes, you can bet on the game from your phone in New York State, and we’ve compiled some of the best introductory offers to help navigate your first bets from BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Bet365 and more.
The Timberwolves are -180 to win Game 1, according to DraftKings.
Here’s a recent AP NBA story:
Dallas Mavericks (50-32, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26, third in the Western Conference)
Minneapolis; Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Timberwolves -4; over/under is 206.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: Timberwolves host first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Dallas Mavericks in game one of the Western Conference finals. Minnesota went 3-1 against Dallas during the regular season. The Timberwolves won the last regular season meeting 121-87 on Feb. 1 led by 29 points from Karl-Anthony Towns, while Josh Green scored 18 points for the Mavericks.
The Timberwolves have gone 37-15 against Western Conference opponents. Minnesota has a 7-6 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Mavericks are 31-21 against Western Conference opponents. Dallas is seventh in the NBA scoring 117.9 points per game while shooting 48.1%.
The Timberwolves are shooting 48.5% from the field this season, 1.0 percentage point higher than the 47.5% the Mavericks allow to opponents. The Mavericks are shooting 48.1% from the field, 3.1% higher than the 45.0% the Timberwolves’ opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Anthony Edwards is shooting 46.1% and averaging 25.9 points for the Timberwolves. Mike Conley is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Kyrie Irving is averaging 25.6 points and 5.2 assists for the Mavericks. Luka Doncic is averaging 26.2 points and 9.7 rebounds while shooting 42.3% over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 7-3, averaging 107.2 points, 43.3 rebounds, 24.2 assists, 7.2 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 100.1 points per game.
Mavericks: 7-3, averaging 108.5 points, 43.4 rebounds, 24.4 assists, 6.2 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 103.6 points.
INJURIES: Timberwolves: Jaylen Clark: out (achilles).
Mavericks: Olivier-Maxence Prosper: day to day (ankle), Maxi Kleber: out (shoulder).
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