Timberwolves vs Mavericks

Betting lines, odds and tips for the Dallas Mavericks vs Minnesota Timberwolves matchup

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks will go into Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves on Friday night in a rematch from earlier in the week. The Mavericks have been rolling after the trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Washington Wizards in return for Spencer Dinwiddie. The Timberwolves have also been rolling and are close now to finally jumping from a play-in team to the sixth seed. Both of these teams have so much talent between Luka for the Mavericks and Karl Anthony-Towns and Anthony Edwards for the Timberwolves. It will be an offensive showcase that goes down in Minnesota Friday night. Both of these teams could also matchup in the first round of the playoffs as well. It is possible they could be in the six vs three or the five vs four opening series as well. It will be interesting to watch as these two future Western Conference playoff teams go against each other. 

Timberwolves v Mavericks Betting - Spread

Minnesota has been good this year taking a big step up from last year. Last season they won just 23 games and had 49 losses. They are 42 and 31 this year so far. That is a massive jump for a team that really didn't change their roster at all from last season to now. They are just better. Anthony Edwards has taken a big step in his second year and KAT has also learned to play better with this team. Not to mention D'Angelo Russell has taken on more of a distributing point guard role for this team which has helped the two aforementioned scorers. The Timberwolves are not necessarily a lock to make the playoffs though. It looks like they could get that sixth seed which would guarantee a playoff berth, but if they are seventh, they will have to play their way in. Minnesota has only made the playoffs one time since 2005, and they will look to make it twice starting with a big game here against Dallas. 

For the Dallas Mavericks, they have managed to make their way higher in the Western Conference standings without Porzingis. They are now fifth after passing the Denver Nuggets and could potentially pass the Warriors here as well, who are really struggling recently and now they don't have Steph Curry for a while. Dinwiddie, who they got in the deal for Porzingis, has played like a completely different player since being in Dallas. He has hit two game-winners and is dropping seemingly more 20-point games in his short time with the team than he did with Washington. The three guard lineup of Brunson, Dinwiddie, and Luka has worked pretty well so far surprisingly. Most of the time that doesn't work out super well in a starting unit for NBA teams as they are too much of a defensive liability and all need the ball on offense to be successful. It helps that Dallas has Luka who is a big guard on defense and Brunson has played with Luka so much he is used to it. 

Timberwolves v Mavericks Betting - Money Line

Keys to this game for the Mavericks will start with getting Luka back in the lineup. He missed the last game, but it was likely just due to rest, and he should be back for this contest. Luka only managed 15 points in their matchup on Monday but dished out 10 assists to help them get the win. Beyond that, this team has been playing so well it will just come down to making shots and defending well for them. Dallas will also need an answer for KAT, as they lost their rim protector in Porzingis, a lot of responsibility will fall to Dwight Powell to contain him, which he did pretty well of on Monday. 

Keys for the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night will be to step up defensively. This team does not lack in offensive talent between Edwards, KAT, and Russell, but where they need to improve to win more games is on defense. Patrick Beverley has come in and changed the culture when he was traded to Minnesota. There likely will be a good amount of mismatches that the Wolves can expose as well due to this small lineup that Dallas uses a lot. Edwards will be the main recipient of having either Brunson or Dinwiddie on him and he should look to take advantage of that. 

Timberwolves v Mavericks Betting - Total Points

These two teams played just earlier this week when the Mavericks won by just two. It was a close game nearly the whole way, and this contest will likely prove to be another close one, assuming Luka is able to play. These two teams could also meet in the playoffs as soon as the first round. It would be interesting in this little two game mini series this week if Dallas is able to get both wins, it could be a foreshadowing of what a future playoff series will hold. 

Timberwolves v Mavericks Betting - Player Markets