Basketball Intelligence for 5/27/24

Mavs on the verge, free agent rankings, and more

PLAYOFFS

2024 NBA playoffs roundtable: The biggest questions remaining in the conference finals
Staff, ESPN

MIN-DAL

Mavericks rally past Timberwolves, secure 3-0 series lead
Tim MacMahon, ESPN

Anthony Edwards tries to keep upbeat as Timberwolves fall into precarious situation
Chris Hine, Star Tribune

We were wrong about Jason Kidd
Brent Brooks, Mavs Moneyball

Kyle Anderson Can Keep the Wolves' Sky From Falling
Andrew Dukowitz, Zone Coverage

Karl-Anthony Towns’ shooting woes coming at worst possible time for Timberwolves
Jace Federick, Twin Cities Pioneer Press

But the Western Conference Finals have told a different story. Through three games – all Wolves’ losses – Towns is shooting 28 percent from the field and 14 percent from 3-point range. His offensive struggles bottomed out in Game 3 on Sunday, when the big man went 0 for 8 from 3-point range…

“I feel every shot’s good. I’ve shot a lot of basketballs in my life. I’m the first one in the gym. I definitely am working. I’m shooting. Every time I’m shooting, it feels good,” Towns said. “I’m just having these very unfortunate bounces all the time. It’s annoying. The last game, first shot of the game goes in-out, in-out, in-out. This game, my first shot is a free throw and it goes in-out. I don’t mean to smile, but I’ve just got to laugh at it right now. It’s very disappointing.”

Mavs’ dynamic duo of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving lifts Dallas to 3-0 lead over T-Wolves
Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News

3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' commanding Game 3 win over Timberwolves
Noah Weber, The Smoking Cuban