After a dominant first half in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Dallas Mavericks are two quarters away from clinching a spot in the NBA Finals.
The duo of Doncic and Irving outscored the Minnesota Timberwolves by themselves (44-40), helping the Mavericks take an overwhelming 29-point lead at halftime 69-40.
Doncic outscored the Timberwolves 20-19 in the first quarter, finishing the half with 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting while adding five three-pointers off just five attempts from beyond the arc. Irving joined the fun in the second quarter, going into the break with 19 points (7-of-11). The red-hot first half from Doncic and Irving has the Timberwolves waving the white flag with their season on the line.
Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns have been held in check by the Mavericks defense. They finished the half with 12 points apiece, shooting a combined 9-of-19 from the field with only one three-pointer.