MINNEAPOLIS -- Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks left no doubts while taking the final step toward the superstar's first NBA Finals appearance.( )

The Mavericks clinched the Western Conference title with a display of sheer dominance, eliminating the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 124-103 rout in Game 5 on Thursday at the Target Center.

The Mavs advance to the NBA Finals to face the Boston Celtics, who completed their sweep of the Indiana Pacers in the East finals on Monday.( )

It's the third Finals trip in Dallas' history and the first since 2011, when the Mavs won the franchise's only NBA championship with current coach Jason Kidd playing point guard.

Doncic, who earned Western Conference finals MVP, had his highest-scoring outing of this postseason with 36 points.

"It was Luka magic mode," Kidd said. "He set the tone and then he made it easier for everyone else. Everybody else stepped up."( )

Doncic seized control from the Mavs' opening possession of the night. He scored 12 points in the first 153 seconds and singlehandedly outscored the Timberwolves by a 21-20 margin in the first quarter. He punctuated most of his buckets -- including an off-dribble 3-pointer from the half-court logo -- by sneering toward one courtside fan in particular who drew Doncic's wrath.( )

"You know that gets me going," said Doncic, who also had 10 rebounds and 5 assists. "Everybody knows that by now."

"Man, I was enjoying it," said Mavs co-star Kyrie Irving, who also scored 36 points in the clincher. "You're just watching a special performance take place. ... When Luka starts off a game like that, we're a tough team to beat."( )

The Mavs continued to pour it on in the second quarter, when Irving took his turn torching the Timberwolves' No. 1-ranked defense. Irving, a one-time champion who played in three Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers, scored 15 points in the quarter.

READ MORE.........