Three stars from Sunday’s NBA playoffs

Doncic scored 33 points in Game 3, matching his 32 points in Game 2 and equaling his 33 points in Game 1. That’s called consistency, friends. He shot a blistering 5-for-11 from three-point range for the second straight game and added seven rebounds and five assists. But the difference in Game 3 was that Doncic added a ton of defense.

Doncic had five steals in Game 3, including one on Anthony Edwards with less than two minutes to go. He also took the ball away from Rudy Gobert, and just like after his game-winner in Game 2, Doncic had words for the big Frenchman.

At this point, Doncic is the face of the NBA, arms of the NBA, chest of the NBA, really whatever body part you’d choose. In his second conference finals, he’s now one game away from his first NBA Finals.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving | 33 points, four assists

Irving had his second 30-point game of the conference finals, matching Doncic’s 33 points on 12-for-20 shooting. After shredding the Timberwolves mostly on drives in Game 1, Irving did damage from outside in Game 3, going 3-for-6 on threes.

Irving scored 14 points in the 4th quarter, helping the Mavericks to close out the win. While Irving and Doncic are dangerous all the time, their ability to create their own shots and make difficult shots when games get tight make them deadlier in the clutch. That’s why Doncic called Irving “Mister Fourth Quarter,” though we’re not sure that’s a common nickname for Kyrie.

But Irving has been so good, he’s making shots with his left hand that most players can’t make with their dominant hand. The dual closers of Doncic and Irving have simply overwhelmed the Timberwolves in crunch time three games in a row.

Sometimes coaches will try to “pick their poison” when faced with two offensive threats like the Mavericks backcourt. But in this series, they’re both poisoning Minnesota. All they’ve picked is a lot of poison.

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford | Three blocks, +10

Gafford has been an excellent defender from the Mavericks, operating in what’s effectively a platoon arrangement at center with rookie Dereck Lively II. But when Lively left the game after Karl-Anthony Towns inadvertently kneed him in the head, Gafford had to take on Towns and Rudy Gobert solo.

He came up with some huge plays down the stretch. With Dallas leading in the final minute, Gafford delivered a huge dunk off a Doncic assist which may have sealed the game.

That dunk followed an athletic block on Mike Conley on the other end that set up the dunk.

While NBA defense is a team effort, with teams mixing and matching defensive assignments, it’s still telling that Towns shot 5-for-18 and Rudy Gobert took only four shots for the Timberwolves. Gafford made only two shots in Game 3, but both were huge dunks.

Gaff dunked, Gaff blocked shots and now Gaff has gone from the woeful 15-win Washington Wizards to a team that is one win away from the NBA Finals.