Timberwolves vs. Mavericks: Can Minnesota Capitalize on Luka Doncic’s Absence?

Nik Kowalski | Updated Jan 22, 2025

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at Sacramento Kings

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The Minnesota Timberwolves get a prime opportunity to cover some ground in the Western Conference when they meet the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.

Minnesota
39-29
AT
January 22, 2025, 7:30 PM ET
American Airlines Center
Dallas
33-35
Pointspread -3.5 -110
Moneyline -165
Over / Under o +213.5
Matchup Odds
Pointspread +3.5 -110
Moneyline +140
Over / Under u +213.5
Matchup Odds

With a win, Minnesota would have the same 23-21 record as Dallas. The Mavericks currently hold the seventh spot/top play-in spot in the conference but are slipping quickly without Luka Doncic and others. Back-to-back losses for Minnesota has kept them in the play-in spots, and every game matters with teams like Golden State right behind but on the outside looking in of the playoff picture.

Tip-off at American Airlines Center begins at 7:30 p.n. EST with the Timberwolves a -135 moneyline favourite and -2.5 on the spread, with the over-under at 217.5 on the NBA odds.

Timberwolves vs. Mavericks NBA Betting Odds

Wednesday is the rubber match between Minnesota and Dallas. The Mavericks started off the season series with a 120-114 win on October 29, and the Timberwolves evened it back up with a 105-99 victory on Christmas – the game Doncic got injured for Minnesota. Dallas is 4-9 without Doncic and have covered in just one of their last six outings.

The Mavs are 5-2 both outright and ATS in their last seven meetings with Minnesota. Five of the last seven Timberwolves–Mavericks games played in Dallas have stayed under the total. In three of Dallas’ four wins since Doncic got injured, they’ve kept their opponent under 100 points. Minnesota’s yet to score under 100 points since December 13.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards has been on a tear for Minnesota, leading the team in scoring in five straight contests. Unfortunately, it was an Edwards game-winner attempt that fell short in Monday’s 108-106 defeat to Memphis. Minnesota had the game well under control until a Memphis 65-point second half, 37 of which came in the final quarter. Over a stretch of four losses in six games, Minnesota has allowed an average of 118.7 points per game.

The Timberwolves are also getting strong offensive numbers from centre Naz Reid lately. Reid’s averaging 17.3 points per game this month and finished with 29 points off the bench on Monday. The key to Reid’s uptick in scoring has been a knack to hit the three-ball. Reid’s hit at least three threes in six straight games, and a total of 15 in his last three outings. 

Guard Donte DiVincenzo is also now out indefinitely due to left big toe injury.

Dallas Mavericks

The positive for a struggling Mavericks team is players seem to start to be stepping up without Doncic in the lineup. On Monday it was centre Daniel Gafford, who recorded a career-high 31 points to go with 15 rebounds. Kyrie Irving also went off for 26 second-half points and a game-high 33, but these efforts weren’t enough in the 110-105 loss to Charlotte. 

One fatal flaw with this Mavericks team is its depth. Injuries have cripped it, as on Monday only two bench players scored points for Dallas and they totalled 14. The following Mavericks are on the team’s injury report for Wednesday: Luka Doncic (calf), Dante Exum (wrist), Jaden Hardy (ankle), and Dwight Powell (hip) are all out. Dereck Lively II (ankle), Klay Thompson (ankle) Quentin Grimes (back), and Naji Marshall (illness) are all questionable.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Timberwolves vs. Mavericks?

NBA Predictions
SportsInteraction
  • MIN
  • -3.5 +3.5
  • DAL
Matchup NBA Odds