Key insights from the Mavericks and Timberwolves' first game.

 Key insights from the Mavericks and Timberwolves' first game.

The Dallas Mavericks won Game 1 of their dramatic opening series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis on Wednesday, setting up a thrilling start to the NBA's Western Conference playoffs.

Trailing 83-82 going into the fourth quarter, Luka Doncic scored a game-high 33 points to spark a comeback that saw the Mavericks win 108-105.
Throughout the first half, neither Doncic nor Anthony Edwards of

 Minnesota were very consistent, which kept the game tight the entire time. But Kyrie Irving scored a game-high twenty-four points in the first half to keep Dallas in it, and Doncic steadied himself over the next two quarters

Both teams traded double-digit scoring runs, with the Timberwolves using a 10-0 run to tie the game after the Mavericks had taken an eight-point lead after a 13-0 run. In response, Dallas' defence kept Minnesota scoreless for three vital minutes in the final minutes of the game to win the first game and secure home-court advantage.

With 24 points, Jaden McDaniels led the Wolves, and Karl-Anthony Towns and Edwards combined for a 12-for-36 performance from the floor.

Following the Mavs' early lead, our NBA Insiders examine the pivotal moments from Game 1, potential changes for Friday's Game 2 in Minneapolis (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT), and which supporting players will be crucial for each team in the remaining minutes.

1. What lesson did you learn the most from Game 1?
Tim MacMahon: For the first time in six attempts, the Mavericks are experiencing newfound success as they win their first game under head coach Jason Kidd. Coming off of, by their standards, a somewhat quiet second-round series, Dallas' star duo of Doncic and Irving took turns leading the team in the first game. Irving kept the Mavs within striking distance by scoring 24 of his 30 points in the first half. Doncic, who scored 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and produced a few crucial defensive stops, assumed the role of closer.Dave McMenamin: The Timberwolves have already demonstrated that missing the small details may impact the outcome of a lengthy and intense series. Towns was called for offensive goaltending with 1:41 left in Game 1, and Doncic swiped Mike Conley's lob to Rudy Gobert with 1:06 left. Even with those crucial errors, the Wolves managed to find some hope when Conley drew a 3-point shooting foul with less than two seconds left, trailing by four points. He needed to convert the first two free throws in order to give Minnesota a chance, then intentionally miss the third to set up a tip-in. He failed to make the second, ending any possibility of a far-reaching comeback. The line saw the Wolves go 11 for 18; The Mavs had a 16–17 record.

Brian Windhorst: 

You could sense Irving and Doncic's greater big-game experience than Edwards and Towns', and that became a pivotal narrative in Dallas' victory in Game 1. Irving showed this early on, holding the Mavericks in the lead while Minnesota was essentially unable to miss. Doncic, on the other hand, demonstrated it near the end with a fantastic solo goal.

2. What significant change might we expect from Game 2?
MacMahon: The Mavericks should adjust their tag-team centre rotation so that youngster Dereck Lively II receives more playing time. It's tough to overlook the fact that the Mavs are minus-62 with Daniel Gafford in the starting lineup and plus-106 with Lively on the floor in the playoffs, but switching around the starting lineup would be too extreme at this stage, especially with a lead in the series.

McMenamin: 

After scoring 62 points in the opening two quarters, the Wolves slowed down in the second half, managing just 43 points. Towns and Edwards bemoaned Minnesota's pitiful 12 fast-break points following the loss. After the Wolves made a basket, Edwards also chastised himself for allowing Irving to beat him down the court for a layup. In Game 2, Minnesota seems eager to accelerate the action.

Windhorst

: The Mavs have revealed their strategy, which entails packing the paint and defying Minnesota's outside shooting attempts to win. Dallas desires to erect a number of bodies in between Towns, Edwards, and the rim. Towns had no room when he was inside, and Edwards had to work very hard to make room for himself throughout Game 1. The Wolves were 11 of 25 on threes in the first half. Dallas' game plan began to pay off in the second half as Edwards and Towns combined for a 12-of-36 shooting performance from the field and Minnesota shot 7-of-24 from beyond the arc. That is a recipe for success.

3. For the remainder of the series, which role player will be the biggest X factor?

MacMahon: 

P.J. Washington, the second-round surprise player for the Mavs. He shot poorly for the majority of the first game, but in the first game, he made a crucial 3-pointer. In addition, he was Towns' main defender; he was only 6 of 20 from the pitch. It will be difficult for the Timberwolves to win this series if Towns is unable to find his rhythm.

Jaden McDaniels is the McMenamin. It's difficult to expect much more from him than what he provided in the first three quarters of the game. Doncic was only 4-for-12 on defence while McDaniels was the main defender. McDaniels led the offence with 21 points (8 of 12 shots). However, things turned around in the fourth quarter as Doncic shot 4-for-7 against McDaniels and McDaniels finished 1-for-3 with two turnovers. McDaniels should continue to be a mainstay on both ends for the Wolves even though he faded late.

Windhorst:

 Conley, Mike. It's difficult to forecast what effects his Achilles tendon injury may have, but the Wolves desperately needed his calming presence and attacking organisation in the last minutes. In the final moments of Game 1, Conley was not felt, which was a major turning point for the Wolves going forward.