Mavs vs Wolves Game 4: A Tale of Two Halves

The Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves faced off in a thrilling Game 4 of their playoff series, each half offering a starkly different tale. The Mavericks, who had fallen behind 0-3, were desperate for a victory.
In the first half, it seemed like the Wolves were marching towards a sweep. They went into the break with a 63-46 lead, seemingly in control of the game. Karl-Anthony Towns was dominating in the paint, while Anthony Edwards was slashing to the rim at will. The Mavericks looked stunned, unable to find their rhythm.
However, the second half was a completely different story. The Mavericks came out with a renewed sense of urgency. Luka Dončić took over, scoring 18 of his 24 points in the third quarter alone. The Wolves, suddenly, looked rattled. Their defense, which had been so stifling in the first half, was now letting the Mavericks find open looks.
As the fourth quarter began, the game was in the balance. The Mavericks had clawed their way back, but the Wolves still had a narrow lead. With just under two minutes remaining, Edwards hit a clutch three-pointer to put the Wolves up 102-100. But Dončić had the last word. In traffic, he sank a fadeaway jumper with 26 seconds left to tie the game.
The score was knotted at 102-102 as the game went to overtime. The Mavericks scored the first five points of the extra period and never looked back. They went on to win 119-114, keeping their season alive.
It was a game of two halves, with each side showing a different level of intensity and execution. The Wolves, after dominating early, will rue their missed chances down the stretch. The Mavericks, on the other hand, showed their heart and resilience. They'll need to keep that same energy for Game 5 if they want to force a Game 6.