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Watch: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving lead dominant first-half effort
Dallas Mavericks guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving lead dominant first-half effort for Mavericks in Game 5

After a dominant first half in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Dallas Mavericks are two quarters away from clinching a spot in the NBA Finals. 

The duo of Doncic and Irving outscored the Minnesota Timberwolves by themselves (44-40), helping the Mavericks take an overwhelming 29-point lead at halftime 69-40. 

Doncic outscored the Timberwolves 20-19 in the first quarter, finishing the half with 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting while adding five three-pointers off just five attempts from beyond the arc. Irving joined the fun in the second quarter, going into the break with 19 points (7-of-11). 

The red-hot first half from Doncic and Irving has the Timberwolves waving the white flag with their season on the line. 

Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns have been held in check by the Mavericks defense. They finished the half with 12 points apiece, shooting a combined 9-of-19 from the field with only one three-pointer. 

Minnesota shot just 34.1 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from three.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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