The Minnesota Timberwolves pay a visit to the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center on Monday night. Here’s a Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Prediction. This article will include a Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been in fine form as they’ve won four of their last six games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back after having their two-game win streak snapped by the Pistons in a 109-87 loss on Saturday. Donte DiVincenzo led the team with 22 points, Rudy Gobert added 14 points with 12 rebounds while Julius Randle chipped in with 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists. As a team, the Timberwolves shot just 32 percent from the field and nine of 43 from the 3-point line as they showed plenty of fight to stay within striking distance in the first half despite a slow start, but they had no answers in the second half, where they scored just 43 points to get blown out at home. Julius Randle shot just two of 13 from the field while Naz Reid scored just eight points on three of 15 shooting off the bench.
Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have been in a major slump as they’ve lost 14 of their last 17 games overall, but they will be feeling a little better after outlasting the Trail Blazers in a 100-93 road win on Friday. Marvin Bagley III led the team in scoring with 26 points, nine rebounds and three assists off the bench; Cooper Flagg added 24 points on nine of 17 shooting, while Naji Marshall chipped in with 19 points and five steals. As a team, the Mavericks shot 44 percent from the field and seven of 24 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 32 points in the first quarter to jump out to an early 17-point lead, but they allowed the Trail Blazers back into the contest and looked in trouble until they closed the final 2:04 on an 8-1 run to escape with the upset road win. Klay Thompson had a quiet game of just seven points on two of 10 shots while Max Christie scored just five points on one of eight shots.
Why the Dallas Mavericks will win
- The Mavericks have won each of their last 14 night games against the Timberwolves following a road win.
- The Timberwolves have lost nine of their last 11 games at American Airlines Center when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Mavericks have covered the spread in eight of their last nine night games against the Timberwolves following a road win.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games as favorites against Southwest Division opponents.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Mavericks have lost each of their last 17 night games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Timberwolves have won each of their last nine road games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games on the first leg of a back-to-back against Western Conference opponents.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in five of their last six road games against Southwest Division opponents following a loss.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Timberwolves’ last four games has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Mavericks’ last four home games has gone OVER the total points line.
Dallas Mavericks Player Facts
- Klay Thompson ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per 36 minutes (4.9) this season.
- P.J. Washington is one of only five qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 three, 1.0 steal, and 1.0 block this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (69.2%) this season.
- Naz Reid ranks 2nd amongst qualified Centers for three-pointers made per game (2.1) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Mavericks rank 30th in the league for opponent field goals made per game this season (44.7).
- The Mavericks rank 30th in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (93.9).
- The Timberwolves have used only nine different starting fives this season—the fewest in the league.
- The Timberwolves rank 2nd in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (4.0).
Mavericks vs Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves have ruled out Jaden McDaniels with Ayo Dosunmu and Anthony Edwards both questionable, while the Mavericks have ruled out Caleb Martin again with Marvin Bagley III listed as questionable due to a left shoulder impingement. These teams have already clashed three times this season, with the Timberwolves winning each game by double digits. Be sure to check the lineups before tipoff given the injury cloud hanging over both teams, but at this stage I prefer a play on the Timberwolves at the reasonable line in this one.