NBA Matchup: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves
As the NBA season progresses, the Dallas Mavericks (19-35), currently sitting 12th in the Western Conference, are set to battle against the Minnesota Timberwolves (34-22), who occupy the sixth spot in the same conference. This matchup occurs in Minneapolis on Friday at 7:30 p.m. EST, with the Timberwolves favored by 11.5 points according to BETMGM, and a total points line set at 235.5.
Recent Performances
The Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off a strong performance, having secured a 133-109 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, thanks in large part to Julius Randle’s impressive 41-point effort. This win brought the Timberwolves’ record in conference matchups to 19-17, and they have performed evenly in close games, with a record of 4-4 in one-possession scenarios.
In contrast, the Mavericks have struggled against Western Conference teams, holding a 11-25 record so far this season. Despite this, they boast a solid rebounding game, averaging 44.7 boards per contest, led by P.J. Washington who contributes 7.0 rebounds per game.
Shooting and Scoring
The Timberwolves have also showcased their shooting prowess, making an average of 14.3 three-pointers per game, significantly outpacing the Mavericks’ allowance of 12.1. While Minnesota has an overall field goal percentage of 46.2%, the Mavericks slightly outshine them at 47.1%, indicating an overall competitive edge in shooting accuracy.
This will be the third meeting between the two teams this season, with Minnesota winning the previous encounter on January 29 by a score of 118-105, with Randle again playing a pivotal role by scoring 31 points in that matchup.
Key Performers
Key performers heading into this game include Randle, who is averaging 22.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists for the Timberwolves, and Anthony Edwards, who has averaged 25.0 points over his last ten games. The Mavericks will rely on Naji Marshall, contributing 15.1 points per game, while Max Christie offers support with an average of 14.9 points over his recent outings.
Recent Trends and Injuries
Recent performance also highlights the Timberwolves having won 7 of their last 10 games, with a strong scoring average of 121.8 points and a field goal percentage of 49.3%. Conversely, the Mavericks face challenges with only one win in their last ten attempts, scoring an average of 112.9 points while their opponents averaged 121.0 points against them.
In terms of injuries, the Timberwolves will miss Terrence Shannon Jr. due to a foot injury, while the Mavericks will be without key players including Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving, and Cooper Flagg, with several other players listed as day-to-day.
