5 Reasons the Mavericks will destroy Timberwolves in Conference Finals

The Dallas Mavericks are set to face their most daunting matchup yet, as the Minnesota Timberwolves await them in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday evening.

The Timberwolves are by far the most talented defensive squad that the Mavericks have faced in these playoffs, as they were able to stall out the Denver Nuggets' offense throughout large junctures of their second-round series versus Nikola Jokic and company.

The Timberwolves may be young, but they aren't scared of the moment whatsoever, as young superstar Anthony Edwards' fearless mentality has spread contagiously within their roster. The Mavericks will have to be as resilient as they've ever been in this coming series, as they can't let the referees or any other outside factor deter them from the task at hand.

5 Reasons the Mavericks will destroy Timberwolves in Conference Finals

This starts with Luka Doncic leading by example for Dallas, as his improved attitude and approach made all the difference in Dallas' last two games against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavericks will also need a myriad of different players to step up offensively, as the Mavericks arguably still haven't hit their full stride offensively in these playoffs despite how well their defense is playing.

With that being said though, the Mavericks still have plenty of reasons to feel opportunistic regarding their matchup versus Minnesota, as this is arguably Dallas' best chance at winning a championship since their historic 2011 NBA Finals victory.

Without further ado, here are five reasons the Dallas Mavericks will destroy the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.

5. Timberwolves' lack of shot creation and playmaking off the bench

One of the Minnesota Timberwolves only deficiencies in these playoffs has been their lack of shot creation and playmaking throughout certain stretches, as the Timberwolves have suffered from having a lack of offense being generated from their bench at times.

This sounds ludicrous when you take into consideration that Minnesota's Naz Reid won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award not too long ago, but Reid is a big man who isn't tasked as a primary initiator from the perimeter on offense. Outside of the occasional good shooting and playmaking performance off the bench from Monte Morris, the Timberwolves don't have any tried and true shot-creators or bucket-getters off the bench.

This isn't to say that the Timberwolves can't supplement their lack of shot creation from the perimeter with post-scoring, 3-point shooting, and attacks off closeouts from their big men Naz Reid and Karl-Anthony Towns, but it's without doubt that the Mavericks' rim protection and size could prove troublesome for Minnesota's offense, especially if Anthony Edwards is having a rough shooting night.

The Mavericks need to continue to get strong point-of-attack defense off the bench from the likes of Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, and Tim Hardaway Jr., as Derrick Jones Jr. will have his hands full guarding Anthony Edwards, but as of right now bench production seems like an area the Mavericks will assume an advantage in.