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'Job Done in style' - Fans react as Dallas Mavericks beat Minnesota Timberwolves to reach NBA Finals

Basketball: On Thursday night, Dallas Mavericks defeated Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103 and advance to NBA Finals.

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Varun Sarwate
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Dallas Mavericks (Source: Getty Images)

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Luka Doncic scored 20 points in the first quarter and finished with 36 points this playoffs, and Dallas Mavericks defeated Minnesota Timberwolves 124-103 on Thursday night to advance to the Western Conference finals in five games. Dallas Mavericks reaches NBA Finals.

Kyrie Irving added 36 points for the Mavericks, who established a 29-point halftime lead on 61% shooting, deflating the once-energetic audience before most spectators took their first snack break. In the third quarter, the Mavericks led by as many as 36 points while keeping the Timberwolves' offence out of sync.

With a full week off, the fifth-seeded Mavs will prepare for their first NBA Finals trip since winning the title in 2011. The Mavs will play in Boston on June 6th. Following their whitewash of Indiana in the Eastern Conference finals, Boston Celtics will have ten days off between games. 

The third-seeded Wolves, led by Anthony Edwards with 28 points and Karl-Anthony Towns with 28 points and 12 rebounds, faced the defense-smashing tandem of Doncic and Irving after stifling Phoenix in a first-round sweep and then upending the reigning champion Denver in a seven-game series. Irving's postseason closeout record now stands at 15-1.

Dereck Lively II retruns in team

Luka Doncic established a rebellious tone by going 4 for 4, shooting rainbows from 28 and 31 feet before turning to talk trash to the courtside spectators with each swish, often with a wry smirk. He hit a 32-footer later in the first quarter as the Mavs finished up a 17-1 run, which they extended to 28-5 over nine minutes. 

After missing the previous game due to a sprained neck, the 7-foot-1 rookie Dereck Lively II returned to the Mavs, completing the rim protection combo with Daniel Gafford that helped them frustrate Rudy Gobert in the post and nearly every other player who attempted to attack the basket.

After winning the championship in 2011, Dallas will make its first trip to the NBA Finals, where it will take on the Boston Celtics.

 Here are twitter reaction to the news:

NBA Minnesota Timberwolves Dallas Mavericks