MINNEAPOLIS – When last the Mavericks were in this building, they were swigging cold beers and hoisting the Western Conference championship trophy.
The atmosphere Tuesday night was much different.
The result was not.
The Mavericks overcame a scary moment with Luka Donu010diu0107 late in the first half, then asserted their will to grind out a 120-114 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
Donu010diu0107, despite a leg issue that sent him to the locker room late in the first half, nailed a 30-foot three-pointer – he was 0-for-7 from long range to that point – and put the Mavericks up by eight with 1:04 to go, a lead they nursed to the finish line.