EPIC FINALS: CELTICS AND MAVERICKS BATTLE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP GLORYAs the NBA Finals are set to tip off on Thursday night, the excitement and anticipation are at an all-time high. The match-up between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks is filled with compelling storylines that have fans and analysts buzzing. With stars like Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown headlining the series, this year's Finals promise to be one for the ages.

In Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, the Minnesota Timberwolves avoided elimination by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 105-100, forcing a Game 5. Anthony Edwards led with a near triple-double, scoring 29 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out nine assists. Karl-Anthony Towns, who had struggled throughout the series, found his rhythm in the second half, scoring 20 of his 25 points and shooting 9 of 13 from the field, including 4 of 5 from three-point range.

Kyrie Irving, #11 of the Dallas Mavericks, celebrated with the Oscar Robertson Trophy after clinching the Western Conference Finals in a dominant 124-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Luka Doncic led the charge with a 36-point performance, including a blistering 20-point first quarter, propelling Dallas to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011.

NBA NEWS: WHERE WILL BRONNY LAND IN THE NBA DRAFT? ODDS AND SPECULATIONS

NBA Hall of Famer and two-time champion Bill Walton has passed away at 71 following a prolonged battle with cancer, announced by the league on Monday.