Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) fouls Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverley (22) during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center.

The Dallas Mavericks have an edge in big matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves

March 25, 2022

Mavericks at Timberwolves

Target Center – Minneapolis, MN
8:00 PM ET
Minnesota -3.0

One look at the Western Conference standings shows the importance of tonight’s game. For both teams.

Minnesota is currently in the No. 7 spot, one game back of Denver. If they can’t make up any ground in their final eight games of the season, the Timberwolves will find themselves in a play-in game.

Meanwhile, Dallas currently sits tied with Utah at No. 4 in the west. Those two teams are staring at a first-round matchup, with whichever one notches the better regular-season record enjoying home-court advantage in the series.

Luka Doncic will return to the lineup tonight for the Mavericks. He missed Wednesday’s win over the Rockets to rest his ailing ankle.

Karl-Anthony Towns is listed as day-to-day for the Timberwolves. He’s expected to be in the lineup, however.

Dallas as won two straight games, including a 110-108 victory over Minnesota on Monday night. The Timberwolves have dropped two straight after winning 10 out of 11 to put themselves in position to avoid the play-in game.

That winning streak, coupled with the tough losses to the Mavericks and Suns, might’ve taken some steam out of the Timberwolves. They look like a team that’s hit a bit of a wall.

That makes Dallas a good value tonight. They can sneak in and give Minnesota all they want for the second time in four nights.

Jason Schlefsky’s pick:

Dallas +3.0 (-110)

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Friday’s NBA Quick Picks

Miami -7.0 (-110)

Atlanta -2.5 (-110)

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Thursday’s NBA Winners

Phoenix +4.0 (-110)