NBA Conference Finals:

Mavericks take the lead against Minnesota Timberwolves

Luka Doncic scored 33 points.(Bild: AP/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The Dallas Mavericks won the opening game of the finals series in the Western Conference of the North American basketball league NBA on Wednesday (local time) and immediately gained an advantage with the away win. The Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 108:105 to take a 1:0 lead in the best-of-seven semi-final series. Luka Doncic was the best scorer with 33 points.

There were 15 lead changes in the intense game, with Doncic's points and Kyrie Irving's 30 points ultimately tipping the scales. "We had to work really hard for this one. But it's only one win, we need three more," said Doncic.

He also emphasized Irving's performance: "Without him, we'd be finished. I had to help him in the second half, we switched roles this time." Irving scored 24 points in the first half, while the Slovenian recorded 15 of his points in the final quarter.

NBA play-off result from Wednesday (conference final, "best of seven"):

Western Conference: 
Minnesota Timberwolves - Dallas Mavericks 105:108 - Score in the series: 0:1