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Timberwolves vs Mavericks: Back Minnesota's Size Inside

NBA betting picks and prediction for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, January 7.

Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Odds

Timberwolves Odds -2.5
Mavericks Odds +2.5
Moneyline -150 / +125
Over/Under 231.5
Time Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV NBA League Pass
Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NBA odds here.

Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Preview

The Timberwolves won’t be at any sort of travel or rest disadvantage here as they only had to travel from Houston to Dallas. They are coming off a 27-point rout of the Rockets, but the Mavericks pose a different challenge offensively than the Rockets.

Dallas ranks eighth in Adjusted Offensive Rating despite playing the eighth-most difficult schedule of opposing defenses, according to dunksandthrees.com.


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With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the floor together, the Mavericks have an elite Offensive Rating of 121.0 this season. Doncic is questionable, but I would anticipate him playing after sitting out against the Trailblazers on Friday night.

Monitor the injury report for the Mavericks as they have a number of players questionable here. Doncic, Grant Williams and Dante Exum are all questionable while Dereck Lively II is doubtful. Lively is a major loss for this matchup as the Timberwolves are heavily predicated on attacking the rim and using their size to punish teams.

Lively is the Mavericks’ best rim protector and has a major impact on their defense. The Maverick defense is 4.7 points better per 100 possessions with Lively on the court, and his absence against this massive Timberwolves frontcourt will be felt.

Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Prediction

The injury report for the Mavericks will be key, but at this current number of Timberwolves -2.5, I would lean towards the Wolves. The absence of Lively is massive for me in this game and I expect the Wolves to score at will.

The T-wolves also have a ton of lengthy wings to throw at Doncic if he plays. Take the Timberwolves -2.5 here.

Pick: Timberwolves -2.5 (-115)