The intensity of the Western Conference Finals is showing. This NBA Playoffs clash between the Luka Doncic-led Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves pack that features Anthony Edwards is getting very physical. Whether it's hounding someone on defense or bodying opponents through their point-of-attack schemes, bodies are getting banged up one way or another. Unfortunately, this causes some players' bodies to reach their breaking point to the brink of injury. Dereck Lively II was the latest addition to this ailment-filled postseason.
The Mavericks lost Dereck Lively II in the early half of their NBA Playoffs battle with the Timberwolves. He was preparing to hit the ground after failing to get into a position to rebound. Unfortunately, Karl-Anthony Towns' knee hit his head while he was falling. The center held his head in visible pain and shock. He had to be escorted out of the game to be evaluated, per Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com. It was eventually revealed that he suffered a neck sprain and will be questionable to return.
Dereck Lively II was already doing well before going down with the injury. The Mavericks rookie hit all three of his field goals to net six points. His playmaking skills were also on display as he managed to drop two assists. On defense, he has been fairly vital for Jason Kidd's squad. He managed to snag three rebounds and his shot defense at the apex was also on display as he blocked a shot before having to exit the NBA Playoffs game.
Throughout the postseason, the seven-foot rookie out of Duke showed some significant signs of growth. His style of play netted him a 63.9% field goal percentage for 8.7 points a night. All the while, he also grabs 7.4 rebounds on a nightly basis. That rim protection that was on display against the Timberwolves? It has been very consistent in the postseason because he records 1.1 blocks nightly. Hopefully, he does not miss too much time such that the Mavericks have a reliable big man on the boards and on the defensive side of the floor.
Mavericks vs. Timberwolves so far
A three-to-nothing series lead is looming after the Mavericks led by 60 to 52 at halftime. Luka Doncic leads all scorers as his shot from all three levels of scoring has seen the bottom of the net six out of 13 times. His outside stroke also sank four out of nine times to help him total 20 points.
This was not the only thing that the magical player was producing. He was also doing some all-around work for Jason Kidd. So far, Doncic has been an offensive weapon by also dishing out three assists to pick apart the Timberwolves defense. On defense, he has also taken advantage of Chris Finch's fragile schemes that easily get broken by the Mavericks. This has netted him three steals while being the on-ball or passing lane defender. When it came to contesting shots, his efforts were there too. It even got him a block.
Luka Doncic's Mavericks can slowly pull away if they maintain the pace that they are playing at. However, the Timberwolves are likely going to make a run to match their intensity. They just have to weather the storm and the three-to-one lead is on the horizon.
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