The Mavericks aim to push the Timberwolves to the brink of elimination from this spring’s NBA playoffs when they return home on Sunday night for Game 3.
The Mavericks continued their recent dominant play on the road with Friday’s 109-108 victory in Minnesota, and now enjoy a comfortable 2-0 series lead going into Sunday’s action. For the Timberwolves, their Game 2 defeat marked their fifth loss in seven games. However, Minnesota has compiled a solid 5-1 straight up record on the road so far in the postseason.
The Mavericks lead the way as betting favourites for the first time in this series, favoured by 2.5 points. Dallas has also vaulted to heavy -600 chalk on the NBA series prices, while the Timberwolves have tumbled to +425 longshots to earn their first ever appearance in the NBA Finals. The total for Game 3 is pegged at 207.5.
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks NBA Betting Odds
It looked as if the Timberwolves were well on their way to evening this season at a game apiece after they seized an 18-point lead in the first half of Game 2. However, the Mavericks showed impressive resilience, chipping away at that lead while limiting the T-Wolves to just 22 points in the final frame to eke out yet another road win and take a stranglehold on this series. The Mavs have now won six of seven on the road and have been equally impressive at home, claiming victories in each of their previous two Game 3 matchups and have limited opponents to just 104 points per game at home in the postseason.
The question now facing the Timberwolves is whether they can snap out of the 2-5 run that has devastated their NBA Finals hopes. Minnesota has mustered just 102.9 points per game during their current 2-5 run after racking up 114.2 points per game while winning their first six playoff contests. The Timberwolves have taken two of three in Dallas while averaging 117 points per game. But with the only consecutive defeats that the Mavs have suffered since early March coming after they had locked up the No. 5 seed, the T-Wolves have a mountain to climb.
Minnesota Timberwolves
It was yet another frustrating evening for the star duo of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns in Game 2. Edwards’ 21 points marked his strongest outing in three games, but his 29.4% shooting percentage remains a massive concern. Overall, Edwards has averaged just 20 points in the series and converted a meagre 29.8% over his past three games. Towns fared no better in Game 2, shooting just 4-for-16 for 15 points and has converted just 27.7% while averaging just 15.5 points in the series. For a second straight game, Naz Reid provided a spark off the bench, dropping a team-high 23 points while enjoying a playoff-high 32 minutes on the court. Rudy Gobert has been a solid presence in the paint. Gobert’s 10 rebounds completed his fifth double-double of the postseason. However, his bid to slow down Luka Doncic with rough play on Game 2 blew up in his face.
Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic has been playing through a knee sprain and ankle injury, but you would never know it from his stellar performance in Game 2. Doncic recorded 32 points, including the game-winning bucket in the dying seconds, along with 10 boards and 13 assists, and has now recorded triple-doubles in four of five games. With that performance, Doncic not only cemented his position as a +300 second favourite on the NBA Finals odds, he also proved his durability by accomplishing that feat while taking plenty of physical abuse from the T-Wolves, especially Gobert. Doncic mercilessly mocked Gobert in the wake of Friday’s win, and this head-to-head rivalry has quickly become a major storyline in this contest. But even with Gobert getting away with throwing punches at the NBA scoring champion, it is tough not to lick the -110 odds on the NBA Player props of Doncic recording OVER 30.5 points for the fourth time in five games on Sunday night.
Game 3 Prediction: Who Will Win Timberwolves vs. Mavericks?
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TIMBERWOLVES
106 -
MAVERICKS
118
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 25 May 4:04am | DAL | -3.5 -110 | O +208.5 -110 |
| Closing 27 May 2:13am | DAL | -1.5 +110 | O +231.5 -120 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Timberwolves Team Leaders
| Points |
25.94 |
| Assists |
5.91 |
| Rebounds |
12.92 |
| FG% |
66.1 |
| Steals |
1.28 |
| Blocks |
2.13 |
| Points |
33.86 |
| Assists |
9.8 |
| Rebounds |
9.24 |
| FG% |
78 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.93 |
| Points |
27.56 |
| Assists |
6.5 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
83.3 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.13 |
| Points |
28.86 |
| Assists |
8.09 |
| Rebounds |
9.45 |
| FG% |
67.4 |
| Steals |
1.86 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Mavericks Team Leaders
| Points |
25.94 |
| Assists |
5.91 |
| Rebounds |
12.92 |
| FG% |
66.1 |
| Steals |
1.28 |
| Blocks |
2.13 |
| Points |
33.86 |
| Assists |
9.8 |
| Rebounds |
9.24 |
| FG% |
78 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.93 |
| Points |
27.56 |
| Assists |
6.5 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
83.3 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.13 |
| Points |
28.86 |
| Assists |
8.09 |
| Rebounds |
9.45 |
| FG% |
67.4 |
| Steals |
1.86 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
Injuries
Mike Conley (PG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG)
Monte Morris (PG)
Rudy Gobert (C)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Maxi Kleber (PF)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Daniel Gafford (PF)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Maxi Kleber (PF)
Dante Exum (PG)
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Daniel Gafford (PF)
P.J. Washington (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Conley (PG) | Ques Thur | Achilles - 29 / 05 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Conley is hampered by a achilles injury, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. |
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| Mike Conley (PG) | Prob Tues | Academics - 28 / 05 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Conley has an achilles injury, but he is likely to be on court against the Mavericks in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. |
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| Mike Conley (PG) | Prob Sun | Achilles - 25 / 05 / 24 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Conley is battling with a right soleus strain, but he is likely to be on court against the Mavericks in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. |
|||||
| Mike Conley (PG) | Ques Fri | Achilles - 23 / 05 / 24 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Conley has an achilles injury, and it is unclear if he will play Friday's clash against the Mavericks for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. |
|||||
| Mike Conley (PG) | Prob Wed | Achilles - 21 / 05 / 24 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Conley is battling with a left soleus strain, but he is projected to be in Wednesday's contest against the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals |
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| Mike Conley (PG) | Prob Sun | Achilles - 18 / 05 / 24 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Conley is managing a right soleus strain, but he is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
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| Mike Conley (PG) | Prob Thurs | Achilles - 14 / 05 / 24 | 3-5 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Conley is hampered by an right Achilles injury, but he is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 24 | 4-6 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Alexander-Walker is managing a left shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Monte Morris (PG) | Ques Fri | Finger - 07 / 05 / 24 | 5-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Morris is nursing a right index finger sprain, and it is uncertain if he will be available for Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Nuggets. |
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| Rudy Gobert (C) | Prob Fri | Personal - 06 / 05 / 24 | 5-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Gobert was tending to a personal matter, but he is projected to play Game 3 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 06 / 05 / 24 | 9-6 | 7-9 | + - |
|
Hardaway Jr. is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to suit up against the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round. |
|||||
| Maxi Kleber (PF) | Doub Tues | Shoulder - 04 / 05 / 24 | 10-6 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Kleber is hampered by a dislocation of the AC joint in his right shoulder, and is not expected to play in Game 4 against the Timberwolves on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 24 / 04 / 24 | 12-8 | 9-12 | + - |
|
Hardaway Jr. is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and he is likely to suit up against the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round. |
|||||
| Daniel Gafford (PF) | Ques Fri | Back - 24 / 04 / 24 | 12-8 | 9-12 | + - |
|
Gafford is hindered by lower-back soreness, and it is up in the air if he will line up for Game 3 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers. |
|||||
| Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG) | Prob Sun | Illness - 20 / 04 / 24 | 12-9 | 9-13 | + - |
|
Hardaway is ailing from an illness, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers. |
|||||
| Maxi Kleber (PF) | Prob Sun | Back - 13 / 04 / 24 | 13-10 | 9-15 | + - |
|
Kleber is dealing with back spasms, but it is forecasted that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers. |
|||||
| Dante Exum (PG) | Prob Sun | Foot - 13 / 04 / 24 | 13-10 | 9-15 | + - |
|
Exum is laid up with a right foot sprain, but it is predicted that he will participate in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Clippers. |
|||||
| Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 13 / 04 / 24 | 13-10 | 9-15 | + - |
|
Jones is hampered by a left shoulder sprain, but it is projected that he will line up against the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| Daniel Gafford (PF) | Prob Sun | Elbow - 13 / 04 / 24 | 13-10 | 9-15 | + - |
|
Gafford is tending to right elbow soreness, but it is expected that he will take on the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
| P.J. Washington (PF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 | 13-10 | 9-15 | + - |
|
Washington is nursing a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will face the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round. |
|||||
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 25 May 4:04am DAL -3.5 -110 O +208.5 -110 Closing 27 May 2:13am DAL -1.5 +110 O +231.5 -120 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Timberwolves Team Leaders
Points 25.94
Assists 5.91
Rebounds 12.92
FG% 66.1
Steals 1.28
Blocks 2.13
Points 33.86
Assists 9.8
Rebounds 9.24
FG% 78
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.93
Points 27.56
Assists 6.5
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 83.3
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.13
Points 28.86
Assists 8.09
Rebounds 9.45
FG% 67.4
Steals 1.86
Blocks 1.5
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- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Mavericks Team Leaders
Points 25.94
Assists 5.91
Rebounds 12.92
FG% 66.1
Steals 1.28
Blocks 2.13
Points 33.86
Assists 9.8
Rebounds 9.24
FG% 78
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.93
Points 27.56
Assists 6.5
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 83.3
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.13
Points 28.86
Assists 8.09
Rebounds 9.45
FG% 67.4
Steals 1.86
Blocks 1.5
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Injuries
Mike Conley (PG)
Ques Thur Achilles - 29 / 05 / 24Mike Conley (PG)
Prob Tues Academics - 28 / 05 / 24Mike Conley (PG)
Prob Sun Achilles - 25 / 05 / 24Mike Conley (PG)
Ques Fri Achilles - 23 / 05 / 24Mike Conley (PG)
Prob Wed Achilles - 21 / 05 / 24Mike Conley (PG)
Prob Sun Achilles - 18 / 05 / 24Mike Conley (PG)
Prob Thurs Achilles - 14 / 05 / 24Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 24Monte Morris (PG)
Ques Fri Finger - 07 / 05 / 24Rudy Gobert (C)
Prob Fri Personal - 06 / 05 / 24Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 06 / 05 / 24Maxi Kleber (PF)
Doub Tues Shoulder - 04 / 05 / 24Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Prob Tues Ankle - 24 / 04 / 24Daniel Gafford (PF)
Ques Fri Back - 24 / 04 / 24Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG)
Prob Sun Illness - 20 / 04 / 24Maxi Kleber (PF)
Prob Sun Back - 13 / 04 / 24Dante Exum (PG)
Prob Sun Foot - 13 / 04 / 24Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 13 / 04 / 24Daniel Gafford (PF)
Prob Sun Elbow - 13 / 04 / 24P.J. Washington (PF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Mike Conley (PG) Ques Thur Achilles - 29 / 05 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Conley is hampered by a achilles injury, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
Mike Conley (PG) Prob Tues Academics - 28 / 05 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Conley has an achilles injury, but he is likely to be on court against the Mavericks in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.
Mike Conley (PG) Prob Sun Achilles - 25 / 05 / 24 1-3 3-1 + - Conley is battling with a right soleus strain, but he is likely to be on court against the Mavericks in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
Mike Conley (PG) Ques Fri Achilles - 23 / 05 / 24 2-3 3-2 + - Conley has an achilles injury, and it is unclear if he will play Friday's clash against the Mavericks for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
Mike Conley (PG) Prob Wed Achilles - 21 / 05 / 24 2-3 3-2 + - Conley is battling with a left soleus strain, but he is projected to be in Wednesday's contest against the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals
Mike Conley (PG) Prob Sun Achilles - 18 / 05 / 24 3-3 3-3 + - Conley is managing a right soleus strain, but he is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Mike Conley (PG) Prob Thurs Achilles - 14 / 05 / 24 3-5 5-3 + - Conley is hampered by an right Achilles injury, but he is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG) Ques Sun Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 24 4-6 6-4 + - Alexander-Walker is managing a left shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Monte Morris (PG) Ques Fri Finger - 07 / 05 / 24 5-6 6-5 + - Morris is nursing a right index finger sprain, and it is uncertain if he will be available for Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Nuggets.
Rudy Gobert (C) Prob Fri Personal - 06 / 05 / 24 5-6 6-5 + - Gobert was tending to a personal matter, but he is projected to play Game 3 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG) Prob Tues Ankle - 06 / 05 / 24 9-6 7-9 + - Hardaway Jr. is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to suit up against the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round.
Maxi Kleber (PF) Doub Tues Shoulder - 04 / 05 / 24 10-6 8-9 + - Kleber is hampered by a dislocation of the AC joint in his right shoulder, and is not expected to play in Game 4 against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG) Prob Tues Ankle - 24 / 04 / 24 12-8 9-12 + - Hardaway Jr. is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and he is likely to suit up against the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round.
Daniel Gafford (PF) Ques Fri Back - 24 / 04 / 24 12-8 9-12 + - Gafford is hindered by lower-back soreness, and it is up in the air if he will line up for Game 3 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (SG) Prob Sun Illness - 20 / 04 / 24 12-9 9-13 + - Hardaway is ailing from an illness, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers.
Maxi Kleber (PF) Prob Sun Back - 13 / 04 / 24 13-10 9-15 + - Kleber is dealing with back spasms, but it is forecasted that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Clippers.
Dante Exum (PG) Prob Sun Foot - 13 / 04 / 24 13-10 9-15 + - Exum is laid up with a right foot sprain, but it is predicted that he will participate in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Clippers.
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) Prob Sun Shoulder - 13 / 04 / 24 13-10 9-15 + - Jones is hampered by a left shoulder sprain, but it is projected that he will line up against the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Daniel Gafford (PF) Prob Sun Elbow - 13 / 04 / 24 13-10 9-15 + - Gafford is tending to right elbow soreness, but it is expected that he will take on the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
P.J. Washington (PF) Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 13-10 9-15 + - Washington is nursing a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will face the Clippers in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.