The Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics are meeting in the East Finals to see who advances to the NBA Finals. Out west, we have the Minnesota Timberwolves taking on the Dallas Mavericks. It feels like we’re in a new era in the west with teams like Minnesota, Dallas, and Oklahoma City emerging as top tier squads. Minnesota took out the defending champion, Denver Nuggets in seven games. The Timberwolves won the first two games on the road, lost the next three and won the final two. Game 7 took place in Denver and Minnesota came back from a 20-point deficit to advance. The Dallas Mavericks took six games to eliminate the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder was the top seed in the West and the Mavericks proved they’re more than ready for a title run. Will Luka Doncic or Anthony Edwards advance to their first NBA Finals?

The Timberwolves were one of the top teams throughout the season. Karl Anthony-Towns went down late in the season with a knee injury, but the Wolves still finished in the top 3. Minnesota finished a game behind the Nuggets and Thunder and finished as the third seed in the West. Dallas dealt with injuries throughout the season and made a late season trade for P.J. Washington. The addition of Washington helped propel this Mavericks team and now they’re in the Western Conference Finals. Minnesota swept the Suns before beating the Nuggets in a seven game series. Dallas got to this point after pulling off the upset of the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. Can Kyrie and Luka lead this team to the NBA Finals? Or will Anthony Edwards, Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert advance to the franchise’s first Finals trip?

Will Minnesota Advance to NBA Finals?

Minnesota has seven players averaging at least 9 points a game in these playoffs. While the Timberwolves are getting help in the scoring department, they are all about defense. Rudy Gobert is the now 4-time Defensive Player of the Year, but he’s surrounded by great defenders. Anthony Edwards was locked in on Jamal Murray in the second half of Game 7 despite his shooting woes. Jaden McDaniels is an underrated defender and Karl Anthony-Towns stepped his game up against Jokic. Mike Conley has provided a great veteran presence while hitting key shots. Anthony Edwards has publicly stated that he wanted Kyrie Irving and will shadow him. This will be easier said than done, but he’s up for the challenge. How will the Timberwolves defend Kyrie and Luka? Can Minnesota finally reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history?

Will Dallas Advance to NBA Finals?

Dallas isn’t nowhere near having seven players that average at least 9 points a game. They do have players at every position that play their part and contribute when needed. Luka is averaging 27 points a game while Kyrie is putting up 21 points. P.J. Washington and Derrick Jones Jr. are the only other players averaging in double digits. Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II and Josh Green played well when needed. The rookie Lively II put up 12 points and 15 boards off the bench in Game 6 to eliminate the Thunder. The defense from Derrick Jones Jr. was instrumental in slowing down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the second half. Luka and Kyrie are scoring below their average and their supporting cast has been great. Can Luka finally reach the NBA Finals? Will the supporting cast play a huge part in the Mavericks reaching the NBA Finals?

Will Minnesota or Dallas Advance to the NBA Finals?

This series will have its fair share of All-Stars. You have Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on one side and the other has Anthony Edwards, Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert. Minnesota made that huge trade for Rudy Gobert to get to this point now. Edwards has stated that he was going to guard Kyrie, but who will check Luka? It will have to be a committee to take that kind of assignment. On the flipside, we’re thinking Derrick Jones Jr. will have the assignment of guarding Edwards. Will Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II be enough to help with Towns and Gobert on the interior. This series is likely to go to at least six games and can go either way. They say the defense wins championships and the Timberwolves are as good as it gets. I’m going with the Wolves to win. Minnesota Win Series 4-2

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