Anthony Edwards stormed out of the gates Tuesday at Target Center, pouring in 24 points in the first quarter of the highly-anticipated Western Conference finals rematch. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving took over down the home stretch. Hoping to exact a morsel of revenge for their Western Conference Finals defeat in the spring, the Timberwolves were instead turned away again by Dallas’ star duo in a 120-114 defeat at Target Center. The Mavericks led by as many as 12 in the final frame. Doncic — who was helped into the locker room late in the second quarter after an apparent leg injury, but then returned to start the third quarter — and Irving made one critical play after another down the stretch to thwart a late Wolves rally. Doncic delivered the dagger with a deep triple to put Dallas back up eight with 64 seconds to play, which triggered many fans to head for the exits. It was fitting that 3-pointer was the direct result of a Dereck Lively offensive rebound. He grabbed four of those Thursday. As a team, the Mavericks had 12 offensive rebounds, leading to 23 second-chance points. Irving and Doncic combined for 20 points in the fourth — a mere carbon copy of what transpired five months prior. Rinse, repeat. However, there was one glaring difference between Tuesday’s bout and the playoff defeat — the struggles were based on the defensive end. In the playoffs, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch noted sometimes Minnesota would have to score alongside a team like Dallas, because the likes of Irving and Doncic will make tough shots. They did again Tuesday, but the issue for the Wolves wasn’t the offense — Minnesota shot 49 percent from 3-point range — but the defense and rebounding. Not only did Dallas hit tough shots, but it found plenty of easy ones. The Mavericks had 20 fast-break points and 25 points off Minnesota’s turnovers. The little things matter. “I probably play a part in that, too. Talking to the refs, falling on the ground and (expletive). Just immature stuff, probably. That’s probably why we don’t get back in transition. Not guarding the rim,” Edwards said. “A couple of possessions early in the game, me and Mike (Conley) was back early and we thinking, I’m telling Rudy to get back, but it’s on me to guard the rim because Rudy can take the opposite corner. Immature game plan mistakes. I feel like we’ll be better at that as the season goes on.” Much has to improve on that end if Minnesota wants to again establish itself as one of the West’s true elites. Because Dallas did look to be a cut above for much of Tuesday’s bout. The Mavericks shot 48 percent from the field, including 48 percent from the line. Edwards scored 24 points in the first quarter, and Minnesota still wasn’t able to create much separation. Because every time the star guard would score, Dallas had an answer on the other end. “I think the defensive level’s got to go up,” Finch said. Still, Minnesota made it interesting late on the strength of a barrage of triples. Minnesota hit 19 3-point attempts, a continuation of its heavy reliance on the deep ball. Edwards hit seven. Julius Randle — who finished with 20 points, seven assists and seven rebounds — buried three, as did Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Minnesota got to the line eight more times than Dallas. None of it mattered. Because while the Wolves may be more equipped to score alongside Dallas (3-1) this season with their new roster construction, they didn’t have the ability to deliver stops. Dallas continues to have Minnesota’s number, particularly when the game is on the line. “Obviously, the dagger shots at the ended when you’re trying to come back are super painful, but they’re the result of offensive rebounds, the result of transition, not getting matched up quick enough when Kyrie is getting loose on us,” Finch said. “We got to solve those two things, because that was key for us last year, being able to get back and rebound the ball at a high level.” Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards yells as time runs out in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, left, celebrates a charging call against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Sunday, May 26, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)