Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch had a simple diagnosis for his team's loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the first game of the Western Conference finals Wednesday night.
"No composure," Finch said, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
The Mavericks overcame a four-point deficit with 3:37 remaining by outscoring the T-Wolves 10-3 to finish the game. Minnesota also committed five turnovers in the fourth quarter.
Dallas' run came in response to Minnesota's 13-1 advantage during the middle of the final frame, which gave it the four-point advantage.
Mavericks star Luka Doncic stole the ball off a Mike Conley lob to Rudy Gobert with 1:06 remaining in the contest. He made a step-back jumper on the next possession to bring the lead to four points.
Conley had a chance to give the T-Wolves a game-winner after he was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 1.8 seconds left. If he made the first two and intentionally missed the third, Minnesota could've attempted a last-second tip-in to tie the game. The T-Wolves veteran made the first but missed the second.
"We haven't really closed quarters very well, closed halves very well over the last handful of games," Finch said. "It cost us a game in the Denver series. It certainly had an impact on this game tonight, too. We've got to be better in clutch moments."
Game 2 of the Western Conference finals is Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
