The Dallas Mavericks are just one win away from reaching the final series of the North American professional basketball league NBA. The team of the still injured Maximilian Kleber won its home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday evening (local time) with 116:107 and now leads the best-of-seven series 3:0.
The Mavericks can make the decision and secure their title in the Western Conference as early as the fourth game on Tuesday.
Dallas was once again able to rely on its two stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Both scored 33 points each, clearly outshining Minnesota’s top players. Anthony Edwards scored 26 points for the Timberwolves. Kleber is missing due to a shoulder injury, but the German professional could possibly step in again if the Texans make it to the final.
“We just say we need one more (win),” Doncic said. “Nothing is done. They have a great team, so nothing is done. We need to get one more, and then once we get one more, we need the rest.”
Dallas last came close to making it to the finals two years ago, but the Mavericks lost to the Golden State Warriors in the conference finals. The only NBA championship to date dates back to 2011, when Dirk Nowitzki was a key player.
The decision about the finalist of the Eastern Conference could be made as early as Monday evening. The Boston Celtics are also leading the Indiana Pacers 3-0 and have their first chance to make it through to the next round in Indianapolis.
Ice hockey: Rangers take the lead in semifinals against Florida
The New York Rangers have turned the semi-final series in the North American professional ice hockey league NHL against the Florida Panthers and need two more wins to reach the final.
The Rangers won 5-4 in overtime in Sunrise on Sunday evening (local time), thereby regaining home advantage in the series. After two wins in a row, New York leads the Eastern Conference best-of-seven series 2-1, and the fourth game will take place again in Florida on Tuesday.
The outstanding players for the visitors were Alexis Lafreniere and Barclay Goodrow, who both scored a brace. In overtime, Alex Wennberg was the decisive player with his winning goal. For Florida, Sam Reinhart stood out with two goals in the first period.
The winner of the series will face the best team in the Western Conference in the final. Before the third game on Monday evening, the Edmonton Oilers, led by Cologne’s Leon Draisaitl, and the Dallas Stars are tied at 1:1 in the series.
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