The Dallas Mavericks travel to the Target Center to battle the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. Here’s a Timberwolves vs Mavericks Prediction. This article will include a Timberwolves vs Mavericks Pick.
Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview
The Dallas Mavericks have been in a major slump as they have now lost nine in a row after getting trampled by the Lakers in a 124-104 road defeat in their last game before the All-Star break. Naji Marshall and Max Chrisie led the team with 19 points each, PJ Washington added 18 points while Brandon Williams tallied 17 points with five rebounds and seven assists. As a team, the Mavericks shot 49 percent from the field and seven of 26 from the 3-point line as they got off to a solid start and kept pace with the Lakers in a tightly contested first half, but with so many players out injured, the Mavericks could only manage 41 points in the second half to allow the Lakers to run away with it in the end. Klay Thmpson had a quiet game of just nine points with four turnovers while Khris Middleton finished with just eight points on three of 11 shooting.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves were on a nice run heading into the All-Star break as they have won seven of their last 10 games overall and they are now aiming for a third straight victory after smashing the Trail Blazers in a 133-109 win last Wednesday. Julius Randle led the team with 41 points on 14 of 24 shooting, Jaden McDaniels added 21 points with six rebounds and six assists while Rudy Gobert tallied 17 points with eight rebounds. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 52 percent from the field and 14 of 34 from the 3-point line as they swarmed the Trail Blazers from the tipoff to take a 10-point lead into halftime and that only grew in the second half where the Timberwolves poured in 72 points to make it a complete blowout win at home.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Mavericks have lost each of their last 11 road games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The favorites have won each of the Mavericks’ last nine games.
- The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Mavericks’ last five games.
Why the Dallas Mavericks will win
- The Mavericks have won four of their last five games as road underdogs against the Timberwolves.
- The Timberwolves have lost three of their last four games as favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The Mavericks have covered the spread in nine of their last 11 games against the Timberwolves following a road loss.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three home games against Southwest Division opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Mavericks’ last six road games against the Timberwolves following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of the Timberwolves’ last seven night games have gone OVER the total points line.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (70.3%) this season.
- Anthony Edwards ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for points per game (29.3) this season.
Dallas Mavericks Player Facts
- Max Christie ranks 15th amongst qualified players for 3P% (42.6%) this season.
- P.J. Washington ranks 8th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for blocks per game (1.3) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Timberwolves rank T1st in the league for Q4 points per game this season (30.1).
- The Timberwolves have used only six different starting fives this season – fewest in the league.
- The Mavericks rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (33.8%).
- The Mavericks rank 30th in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (94.2).
Timberwolves vs Mavericks Prediction
The Mavericks are still missing a bunch of players including Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg with Caleb Martin and Max Christie both questionable. Here we have two teams trending in opposite directions as the Mavericks have been in a nosedive with all the injuries they’ve accrued, while the Timberwolves have all their players healthy and playing well as they build towards the playoffs. These teams have already clashed twice this season with the Timberwolves winning both meetings by double digits and I don’t think the depleted Mavericks have enough firepower to stop a third straight blowout. The line is hefty, but I will stick with the Timberwolves to stay hot with another win and cover in this matchup.