Texas Sized Shootout in Dallas: Timberwolves vs Mavs
by Nick Meyer
Things haven’t gone as planned for the Minnesota Timberwolves yet again in 2010, but they have a chance to play spoiler down the stretch, and the Dallas Mavericks could be their next victim if they don’t take the Timberwolves seriously tonight at home.
The Mavericks are used to being big-time NBA betting line favorites but against a scrappy team like the Wolves and such a high number in the NBA betting spread this time around, a huge win to cover the total might be difficult to come by.
The home crowd is always the x-factor, however, and when the Mavericks get rolling at home, they can be very tough to stop.
Minnesota Timberwolves (14-40 SU, 31-30 ATS) at Dallas Mavericks (40-21 SU, 26-34-1 ATS)
8:35 p.m ET
NBA betting spread: Dallas favored at -13 ½
While the Timberwolves have been out-gunned from the opening tipoff of the 2010 NBA season, the team has shown a lot more heart and fight in the second half of their season to date, making them a tough team to put away at times.
The Mavericks are also fighting but perhaps even harder as they scrap for every inch of playoff positioning in a crowded Western Conference playoff scene.
The Mavs have had an extremely difficult time covering the spread at home during the 2010 NBA betting season, however, as their 8-22-1 ATS home record might shock some people.
That’s extremely odd considering the Mavs’ penchant for going on runs with explosive scorers like Jason Terry and Dirk Nowitzki on the team.
The Wolves are almost certain to lose according to the NBA betting trends, however, as they are 5-25 SU on the road over the course of the 2010 NBA betting season.
The Wolves are a decent 14-16 on the road ATS on the year, however, which isn’t bad for such a young team.
Minnesota also has some pieces that match up well with the Mavs as ultra-quick point guard Jonny Flynn can cause some headaches for Jason Kidd at the PG position and Kevin Love can snatch rebounds away from an average-sized Dallas front line.
Those minor matchup pluses will help the Timberwolves keep this one somewhat close for most of the game.
