Kyrie, Luka shine in clutch: 'That's where we make our money'
Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic saved their best basketball for the fourth quarter, combining to score 21 points over the final frame to lift the Dallas Mavericks to a 116-107 comeback win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3.
"Down the stretch, that's where we make our money, man," Irving told reporters postgame, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "I think we have that poise now, and we're showcasing just our skill sets out there that a lot of teams have to guard, the depth that we have. A lot of teams have to guard each one of us, and you got to pick your poison."
Irving and Doncic finished with 33 points apiece, becoming the first starting backcourt in the last 50 years to each tally 30-plus points in the same postseason game on three occasions, per ESPN Stats & Info.
Irving and Doncic's collective output exceeded the Timberwolves' entire point total over the final 12 minutes of action. The duo shot a combined 8-of-10 from the field, including a perfect 2-of-2 from distance.
Irving played the entire fourth quarter and was the catalyst for the Mavs' strong finish. The eight-time All-Star had 14 points and powered Dallas to a sizzling 131.8 offensive rating down the stretch. His 31 fourth-quarter points through three contests against Minnesota are the most by any player in the conference finals this season.
Irving also set up P.J. Washington for a key triple with 3:38 remaining that put the Mavs ahead for good.
"Unbelievable. That's why some people call him 'Mr. Fourth Quarter,' right?" Doncic said. "Just amazing. He's born for these situations. He's born for the clutch situations, so we just get the ball to him."
Dallas can book its first trip to the NBA Finals in 13 years with a victory Tuesday evening over Minnesota.
No NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 series deficit.