The NBA season is kicking off the second half of the season, and the Dallas Mavericks will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves to start the weekend with a bang. With the Mavericks having a nightmare season, the Timberwolves could make easy work against them tonight.
Bettors could have a strong game with the Timberwolves trying to gain ground on the Western Conference playoff bracket against a weak Mavericks team. With the NBA season kicking into high gear, bettors could win big with the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Game Details
Date: February 20
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
TV/Streaming: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network North, KFAA-TV, Mavs.com
Odds: Minnesota Timberwolves -115, MIN-12.5, o/u 238.5
Team Form & Recent Results
Dallas Mavericks Recent Form
- The Dallas Mavericks are currently on a nine-game losing streak, and have lost their last nine of ten, with being 5-18 on the road.
- Dallas offense has been one of the worst in the league, being 26th in offensive rating, 27th in 3 PT FG%, and 25th in true shooting.
- The Mavericks have been having a nightmare season, being 19-35 and 12th in the Western Conference.
- P.J. Washington has been one of their bright spot, scoring 14.1 PTS, with 7.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.
Minnesota Timberwolves Recent Form
- The Minnesota Timberwolves are on a two-game winning streak and have a solid home record this season, being 19-10.
- Minnesota has been having a strong season, being 34-22 and being sixth in the Western Conference.
- The Timberwolves are third in PPG, along with being fourth in FG%, and sixth in offensive ratings.
- Anthony Edwards has been having a strong season, scoring 29.3 PTS a game, with 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Key Storylines
- The Dallas Mavericks will be losing Cooper Flagg for tonight’s game, along with season-ending injuries for Kyrie Irving.
- Minnesota will not have any injuries this season, while Max Christie for the Mavericks will be a game-time decision.
- Dallas has been having a poor season, with being near the bottom of the Western Conference, while the Timberwolves have been playing well this season.
- Las Vegas is favoring the Timberwolves due to the star power of the team, along with poor play from the Mavericks.
Players to Watch
Dallas Mavericks
- Naji Marshall
- In the loss to the Lakers, Marshall scored 19 points, with two rebounds and four assists.
- Marshall has been playing well this season, scoring 15.1 PPG, with 3.0 assists a game, and 4.9 rebounds.
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Jaden McDaniels
- In the win against the Trail Blazers, McDaniels scored 21 points with six rebounds and six assists.
- McDaniels is having a solid season with 15.0 PPG, 2.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds.
Matchup Breakdown
Offense vs. Defense
The Dallas Mavericks offense has been one of the worst in the NBA this season, with scoring 113.9 points a game, and being 27th in 3PT FG%, 25th in offensive rebounds, and 26th in offensive ratings.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been having a strong offensive season, being 3rd in PPG, 11th in 3PT FG, and sixth in offensive ratings. Minnesota has also been having a solid defensive season, being seventh in defensive ratings and 11th in steals.
Coaching / Strategy Notes
For the Dallas Mavericks to win against the Timberwolves, they need their defense to have a strong game tonight. Even without Flagg, the Mavericks also need a solid offensive game from Washington to win against the Timberwolves tonight.
While the Mavericks need everything to go right, the Timberwolves will need to stop Washington and the Mavericks from shooting. Dallas has been having a poor offensive season, and Minnesota could take advantage of its weakness and poor shooting.
Prediction
Prediction: Dallas Mavericks 99, Minnesota Timberwolves 115
How to Watch
- TV channel/Local broadcasts: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network North, KFAA-TV, Mavs.com
- Streaming: ESPN
- Radio: ESPN radio
FAQ SECTION
Q: What time is the [Dallas Mavericks] vs. [Minnesota Timberwolves] game?
A: [The time for the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves will be at 7:30 PM.]
Q: Who is favored to win?
A: [The Minnesota Timberwolves are the favorites to win against a weak Dallas Mavericks team tonight]
Q: Where is the game being played?
A: [Target Center, Minneapolis, MN]
Q: What are the betting odds?
A: [(Minnesota Timberwolves -115, MIN-12.5, o/u 238.5)]
Conclusion
With the Dallas Mavericks admitting the mistakes of last season’s trade deadline, with trading away Anthony Davis, they are the easy losers for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Dallas has struggled offensively this season and could have another poor game against the Timberwolves, who have a strong defense.
While Dallas is a solid defensive team, their offense has been in the bottom to mid-tier in the league this season, and could have another rough game against the Timberwolves and their star power. Bettors could see an easy win with the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Dallas Mavericks in a game that could help their playoff push.
