Three stars from Thursday's NBA playoffs

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving | 36 points, four three-pointers

If Doncic was Batman in Game 5, Irving played the Robin role to a tee. As he's done throughout the series, the veteran picked his spots perfectly on Thursday, finishing with 36 points (14-of-27), five assists and four rebounds.

While many doubted whether Irving would fit alongside Doncic, he proved again why he can against the Timberwolves. The duo became only the second in NBA history to post 35 points or more apiece in a playoff game to clinch a spot in the NBA Finals, joining Elgin Baylor and Jerry West (1962).

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd | Out-did the NBA's top-rated defense

Doncic and Irving carried the offensive weight, overwhelming the Timberwolves from the tip-off. However, after poor coverage against Minnesota's pick-and-roll in a Game 4 loss, Kidd's defensive adjustments helped silence Minnesota's stars, Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, on Thursday. 

In Game 5, the Mavericks played better defense than the Timberwolves, who finished the regular season with the top rating in the NBA (108.4). Kidd, whose team struggled on that end of the court during the regular season, deserves a lot of credit.

Now, he's looking to win a title with the Mavericks as a player and a coach.