Through 3 Quarters
Down six at the end of last quarter, the Dallas Mavericks have now snagged the lead. It’s anybody’s game after three quarters, but Dallas is ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves 88-86.
The Mavericks have been relying on shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr., who has 22 points and four assists in addition to five rebounds, and small forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who has 19 points. One thing to keep an eye out for is Dwight Powell’s foul situation as he currently sits at four.
Minnesota has been relying on the performance of center Karl-Anthony Towns, who has 21 points and four assists along with six boards. Towns has also picked up four fouls, though.
Minnesota hasn’t lost 100% of the games in which they were down heading into the final period this year, so a victory here would be refreshing.
Who’s Playing
Dallas @ Minnesota
Current Records: Dallas 14-14; Minnesota 14-15
What to Know
The Minnesota Timberwolves will stay at home another game and welcome the Dallas Mavericks at 8 p.m. ET Dec. 19 at Target Center. If the contest is anything like the Timberwolves’ 136-121 victory from their previous meeting in May, the scorekeeper will be kept real busy.
Minnesota had enough points to win and then some against the Los Angeles Lakers this past Friday, taking their game 110-92. It was another big night for Minnesota’s center Karl-Anthony Towns, who posted a double-double on 28 points and ten rebounds along with three blocks.
Meanwhile, Dallas fought the good fight in their overtime matchup against Los Angeles last Wednesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result, falling 107-104. A silver lining for Dallas was the play of point guard Jalen Brunson, who had 25 points and nine assists.
The Timberwolves are the favorite in this one, with an expected 3.5-point margin of victory. They are currently three-for-three against the spread in their most recent games, a trend bettors might want to take into account.
Minnesota is now 14-15 while the Mavericks sit at 14-14. Minnesota is 8-5 after wins this season, and Dallas is 8-5 after losses.
How To Watch
- When: Sunday at 8 p.m. ET
- Where: Target Center — Minneapolis, Minnesota
- TV: Bally Sports – North
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $42.64
Odds
The Timberwolves are a 3.5-point favorite against the Mavericks, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 3.5-point spread, and stayed right there.
Over/Under: -110
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Series History
Dallas have won 12 out of their last 20 games against Minnesota.
- May 16, 2021 – Minnesota 136 vs. Dallas 121
- Mar 24, 2021 – Dallas 128 vs. Minnesota 108
- Feb 08, 2021 – Dallas 127 vs. Minnesota 122
- Mar 01, 2020 – Dallas 111 vs. Minnesota 91
- Feb 24, 2020 – Dallas 139 vs. Minnesota 123
- Dec 04, 2019 – Dallas 121 vs. Minnesota 114
- Apr 03, 2019 – Minnesota 110 vs. Dallas 108
- Jan 11, 2019 – Dallas 119 vs. Minnesota 115
- Oct 20, 2018 – Dallas 140 vs. Minnesota 136
- Mar 30, 2018 – Minnesota 93 vs. Dallas 92
- Dec 10, 2017 – Minnesota 97 vs. Dallas 92
- Nov 17, 2017 – Minnesota 111 vs. Dallas 87
- Nov 04, 2017 – Minnesota 112 vs. Dallas 99
- Feb 24, 2017 – Minnesota 97 vs. Dallas 84
- Jan 15, 2017 – Dallas 98 vs. Minnesota 87
- Jan 09, 2017 – Minnesota 101 vs. Dallas 92
- Apr 03, 2016 – Dallas 88 vs. Minnesota 78
- Feb 28, 2016 – Dallas 128 vs. Minnesota 101
- Jan 20, 2016 – Dallas 106 vs. Minnesota 94
- Jan 10, 2016 – Dallas 93 vs. Minnesota 87
Injury Report for Minnesota
- Taurean Prince: Out (Covid-19)
- Anthony Edwards: Out (Covid-19)
- Josh Okogie: Out (Covid-19)
Injury Report for Dallas
- Willie Cauley-Stein: Out (Personal)
- Eugene Omoruyi: Out (Foot)
- Frank Ntilikina: Out (Illness)
- Luka Doncic: Out (Ankle)
- Reggie Bullock: Out (Covid-19)
- Josh Green: Out (Covid-19)