The Minnesota Timberwolves are starting to find some swagger during a four-game winning streak. After falling to 11-15 on the season, this squad is back to 500 and in playoff position (we know it’s late December)..
The same can’t be said about the Dallas Mavericks, a team that can’t quite find their above the mediocre mark this season. In fact, the Mavs have lost their last couple and are just 5-11 in their last 16 games.
Let’s take a closer look at this NBA game betting preview and see what’s the best option in the sportsbook.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks
- Game: Minnesota Timberwolves (15-15) at Dallas Mavericks (14-15)
- Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
- Day/Time: Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Television: BSSW
COVID Protocols Critical For Minnesota
Health and safety protocols have been rearing their head all over the place in the past week or so, and the NBA is no exception. The Timberwolves have a number of important players sitting on that list, players that they may need to win this ball game.
Anthony Edwards, Patrick Beverley and Josh Okogie remain on that list. Assuming none of them can make it onto the floor, the door is left wide open for Karl Anthony Towns to dominate.
He’s averaging 24.4 points, 9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game and led the team in scoring the last two matchups.
When Towns has to score consistently, he has proven that he can dominate the paint. He may be too much for Kristaps Porzingis and Dallas to handle, which is exactly how Minnesota won the previous game between the teams. This past Sunday in Minneapolis, Towns had 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists as Minnesota used a big four quarter en route to a 111-105 win,
Who Is Left For The Mavericks?
Similar to the Wolves, COVID protocols and other injuries have run rampant through the Mavericks’ roster.
Their superstar player, Luka Doncic, won’t be active for this game with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Porzingis is questionable with a toe injury of his own.
Reggie Bullock, Willie Cauley-Stein and Maxi Kleber also won’t be playing. This team isn’t nearly the same right now, as Jalen Brunson looks to be the main offensive threat.
He averages the third-most points on the team (14.9), but the Mavs will need a lot of help defensively. If Porzingis, Kleber and Stein are all out, can anyone handle Towns in the paint?
Will Towns Prove Too Much?
If you bet online, keep an eye on both the news wires and the NBA odds. Lots of players are either possibly or definitely out. With the rosters in flux on both sides, there are certainly a lot of variables..
You’ll have to dive deep down the depth chart. Which role players will be able to contribute and which stars can take advantage of weak opposition?
Towns looks to be the only true star left on the court (if Porzingis can’t go), and even if the Mavs’ middle man plays, he’s not be a physical match for Towns down low. The Timberwolves are the best bet here.
Pick: Total Under 215 (-110)
Pick: Wolves +1 (-110)
Parlay: Wolves +1 (-110) and Under 215 (-110) at +264
