Will it be the case of deja vu? On May 6, 2024, the Minnesota Timberwolves capped an incredible road trip by winning consecutive games in Denver to take a 2-0 series lead. However, the Nuggets went into Minnesota to erase the deficit by winning back-to-back games at the Target Center. Last night, the Mavericks took control of the Western Conference Finals by doing what Minnesota did to Denver by winning the opening two games on the road. Therefore, the big question heading into Game 3 is, can Minnesota flip the script and even the series on the road? In the East, the Boston Celtics seized control of the series after a nail-biting Game 1 and a more dominant Game 2 win at home. In this article, we will preview Game 3 of the Conference Finals and who wins.
1. Boston Celtics at 6. Indiana Pacers-Saturday May 25, 2024 8:30 PM EST ABC
It feels like the Pacers will rue the missed opportunity in Game 1 to steal home-court advantage. The Pacers made careless turnovers in the 4th quarter and overtime to give the game away. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Pacers became the first team since the 1997-98 playoffs to lose a game despite inbounding the ball up 3 in the final 10 seconds. In Game 2, they managed to keep the game close despite the Celtics’ early double-digit lead. However, the complexion of this series changed when All-Star Point Guard Tyrese Haliburton exited with a sore left hamstring in the third quarter. The Celtics capitalized by imposing their will and cruising to a 16-point victory. The biggest question looming over Game 3 is the status of Haliburton’s injury and whether he will feature after being listed as questionable. The Iowa State product had a similar injury in January that forced him to miss ten games. Tyrese is averaging 18.7 points and 8.2 assists per game in the playoffs, and it will be difficult to beat the Celtics without the dynamic playmaker. Another key is that the Pacers will play better at home because they own a perfect 6-0 record at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the playoffs. However, the bad news for the Pacers is that the Celtics are 4-0 on the road in the playoffs. I find it hard to imagine that Haliburton will be healthy enough to play in less than 48 hours, and without him, Pascal Siakam will have too much to do to get this team over the finish line. I think the Celtics will win this game despite absorbing the Pacers’ best shot and pulling away late in the fourth quarter.
Celtics 117-Pacers 107
3. Minnesota Timberwolves at 5. Dallas Mavericks- Sunday, May 26, 2024-8:00 PM EST TNT
The Mavericks have a two-game lead in the series but have won those games by a combined 4 points. One stat suggests that the Timberwolves have led those two games over 70 percent of the time. It means that the Mavericks’ game plan worked which is to keep the game close and then allow the two of the best closers, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, to close the deal. It means the Timberwolves are not dead in this series despite the precarious deficit. However, they need Anthony Edwards to awaken from his recent slump. Edwards had a terrible turnover in Game 2 with 12 seconds left and his team was leading by 2 points. Also, Edwards is shooting just 30-of-90 over the past five games and found it difficult to attack the rim in Game 2 with Dallas size in the paint. Naz Reid was the Mavericks’ best player in Game 2 with seven 3-pointers, and his eighth could have won the game at the buzzer. The Mavericks’ defensive strategy is to allow the Timberwolves to prove they can make the three-point shot. However, the Timberwolves need to figure out how to cover the pick and roll because Kyrie and Luka will attack Gobert or throw lobs to Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford. I think Edwards will raise his intensity in Game 3, and the Timberwolves will mix their coverages to amplify their defense. I think the Timberwolves will get the lead in the game, and this time hold off the surge by the Mavericks. I have the Timberwolves winning Game 3.
Timberwolves 110-Mavs 102.