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Timberwolves fall to Mavericks 109-108 as Rudy Gobert takes blame for Luka Doncic's winning three-pointer

As they hit the floor up two with 12.8 seconds remaining, the Timberwolves' plan to defend Luka Doncic involved switching an inevitable ball screen Doncic would call to match up Rudy Gobert one-on-one with him.

Instead of doubling Doncic and forcing the ball out of his hands, the Wolves trusted Gobert, as they have all season.

They have built a defense that has defied the expectations of the league, that Gobert can defend on the perimeter when needed, even in a playoff series when teams might hunt him. They have succeeded all season, and they were going to trust Gobert again Friday night, even when staring down one of the most lethal scorers in the NBA.