Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The Minnesota Timberwolves will get a shot at revenge on Tuesday evening as they host the Dallas Mavericks, who beat them 4-1 in last season’s Western Conference Finals.

Both sides, who will each be targeting top spot in the West this term, have a 2-1 record to start the season and an intriguing game could play out at the Target Center in Minneapolis. 

Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves betting picks and predictions

Dallas Mavericks +5.0 (-110)

The Dallas Mavericks will come into Tuesday’s clash feeling confident, having beaten the Timberwolves in five games in last season’s Western Conference Finals. 

Minnesota made a blockbuster trade in the summer, though, sending Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks and receiving Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle in return, with both settling in at the Target Center quickly. 

Randle in particular has started strong, making 62.8 percent of his shots and knocking down 53.8 percent of his three-pointers since joining the Timberwolves, suggesting Minnesota may be able to give Dallas more of a challenge this time around. 

However, the Mavericks also made a clever move in the summer by bringing in Klay Thompson. The former Golden State Warriors star, who is still a solid defender, should nullify the obvious threat of Randle somewhat. 

With Minnesota enjoying an extra two days rest than the Mavs, while also having the benefit of being the hosts in this clash, it is easy to see why they are favorites. 

But Luka Doncic caused Minnesota all sorts of problems in last year's playoffs, averaging 32.4 points in that series, and will be keen to bounce back after shooting just 5-22 from the field in the Mavs’ win over the Utah Jazz on Monday. 

With Dallas’ superstar motivated, Thompson in good form and Kyrie Irving capable of lighting up any court on a given day, a five-point lead for the Mavs on the spread looks extremely generous. 

Both teams are 2-1 to start the season and this game could prove to be closer than the spread suggests. 

Under 222.0 total points (-110)

The Timberwolves’ defensive rating of 108.4 was by far the best in the NBA last season and they are not too far off that figure in the opening weeks of this campaign either, boasting a 109.8 defensive rating this time around. 

Surprisingly, the Dallas Mavericks can actually better that figure as their defensive rating is 107.3 - the fifth-best in the league - highlighting the impact Thompson has already had on the team’s effort without the ball. 

With two top defenses going head-to-head, the Under makes huge appeal. None of Minnesota’s three games this season have seen more than 222 points while the Mavs’ last two have also stayed under that figure. 

Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid are all sensational defenders for the hosts and can nullify the threat of Doncic and co. Plus, we have already mentioned how Thompson can limit Randle’s threat from range. 

These two sides have every chance of cancelling each other out, so the Under looks like a good play. 

Mike Conley over 1.5 steals (+165)

Although he ended up on the losing side, Mike Conley was a constant thorn in the Mavericks’ side during the Western Conference Finals and he could be out to frustrate Dallas again. 

The veteran guard averaged two steals per game throughout the series and his performance against the Toronto Raptors in Minnesota’s last game suggests the 37-year-old is not done irritating opponents just yet. 

Conley registered four steals - the joint-second most of any NBA player in a game this season - against the Raptors, and the Mavericks’ heavy guard-usage suggests he should notch at least half of that number on Tuesday. 

Only LaMelo Ball (34.9 percent) of the Charlotte Hornets has a higher usage rate than Doncic’s 34.7 percent this term. Almost everything Dallas does with the ball comes through their guards, with Irving also having a high usage of 24.6 percent. 

That means 59.3 percent of the Mavs’ plays end with a shot, free throw or turnover from their star guards - less than 50 percent of the Timberwolves’ action comes via Conley and Edwards for comparison - meaning Money Mike should get plenty of opportunities for steals at the Target Center. 

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Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves odds

Dallas Mavericks	+165 ML
Minnesota Timberwolves	-200 ML
Spread	MIN Timberwolves -5.0
Total Points	O/U 222.0

Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves player props

Player Points

Luka Doncic (DAL Mavericks)	O/U 28.5
Anthony Edwards (MIN Timberwolves)	O/U 26.5
Julius Randle (MIN Timberwolves)	O/U 21.5
Kyrie Irving (DAL Mavericks)	O/U 21.5
Klay Thompson (DAL Mavericks)	O/U 14.5
Rudy Gobert (MIN Timberwolves)	O/U 11.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.