PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* TOTAL MASSACRE >> *SPECIAL OFFER*!
(NBA) Minnesota vs. Dallas,
Total: 216.50 | -108.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 216.50 | -108.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 43-33 Minnesota Timberwolves are in seventh-place in the Western Conference but just 1 1/2 games up on the ninth-place Los Angeles Clippers with six games remaining. The T-wolves snapped a two-game slide with Wednesday's 126-114 home, as Karl-Anthony Towns erupted for a franchise-record 56 points to go along with 15 rebounds in the victory. The good news for Minnesota is, it plays its remaining six games against teams below it in the West standings, beginning with a Dallas Mavericks squad that has dropped six of its last seven, after the Mavs scored just 12 points in the fourth quarter of a 103-93 loss at the LA Lakers on Wednesday. Dallas checks in at 23-52, a record better than only the 21-54 Grizzlies and 19-57 Suns in the West.
Minnesota: Towns was 19-of-32 from the floor, 6-of-8 from three-point range and 12-of-15 from the foul line as he eclipsed the team's previous scoring high of 52 points set by Mo Williams in 2015. Towns became just the third player in NBA history with at least 50 points, 15 rebounds and five threes in the same game, joining Russell Westbrook and James Harden. The T-wolves haven't made the postseason since 2004 but the additions of Butler (22.2-5.4-5.0), Teague (13.8 & 7.1 APG) and Gibson (12.3 & 7.1) to join Towns (21.2 & 12.2) and Wiggins (18.1 & 4.7), this had the look of a breakout year. However, the injury to Butler has Minnesota "hanging on for dear life." Butler's knee is improving rapidly but has yet to receive clearance for contact.
Dallas: Head coach Rick Carlisle is utilizing his entire roster when he can and nine players saw between 20 and 26 minutes of action against the Lakers. Rookie PG Dennis Smith Jr. (15.2 & 5.0 APG) finished with 14 points, eight assists and one turnover in 22 minutes after going for 19 points and six assists in 25 minutes in a win at Sacramento the previous night. Dirk Nowitzki averaged 4.3 points on 6-of-24 shooting over his previous three contests before recording 13 points on 4-of-7 on Wednesday. Dirk is averaging 12.1 & 5.7 on the season and is far from the HOF player he's been for most of his career. Harrison Barnes leads the team ins scoring (18.8) and rebounding (6.3), for the second consecutive season.
The pick: The T-wolves have won the first three meetings this season with the Mavs, with Karl-Anthony Towns leading the way with averaging 25 points (on 60.5% FGs) while adding 12 RPG. However, Dallas did slip in under the eight-point spread in Minneapolis in last meeting and considering that Timberwolves are just 1-6 ATS their last seven as a road favorite, I hesitate in laying the points. Minnesota has yet to become the kind of defensive team Tom Thibodeau prefers. With Butler out (he's the team's best defender), I'll make the Over a 10* play.
Minnesota: Towns was 19-of-32 from the floor, 6-of-8 from three-point range and 12-of-15 from the foul line as he eclipsed the team's previous scoring high of 52 points set by Mo Williams in 2015. Towns became just the third player in NBA history with at least 50 points, 15 rebounds and five threes in the same game, joining Russell Westbrook and James Harden. The T-wolves haven't made the postseason since 2004 but the additions of Butler (22.2-5.4-5.0), Teague (13.8 & 7.1 APG) and Gibson (12.3 & 7.1) to join Towns (21.2 & 12.2) and Wiggins (18.1 & 4.7), this had the look of a breakout year. However, the injury to Butler has Minnesota "hanging on for dear life." Butler's knee is improving rapidly but has yet to receive clearance for contact.
Dallas: Head coach Rick Carlisle is utilizing his entire roster when he can and nine players saw between 20 and 26 minutes of action against the Lakers. Rookie PG Dennis Smith Jr. (15.2 & 5.0 APG) finished with 14 points, eight assists and one turnover in 22 minutes after going for 19 points and six assists in 25 minutes in a win at Sacramento the previous night. Dirk Nowitzki averaged 4.3 points on 6-of-24 shooting over his previous three contests before recording 13 points on 4-of-7 on Wednesday. Dirk is averaging 12.1 & 5.7 on the season and is far from the HOF player he's been for most of his career. Harrison Barnes leads the team ins scoring (18.8) and rebounding (6.3), for the second consecutive season.
The pick: The T-wolves have won the first three meetings this season with the Mavs, with Karl-Anthony Towns leading the way with averaging 25 points (on 60.5% FGs) while adding 12 RPG. However, Dallas did slip in under the eight-point spread in Minneapolis in last meeting and considering that Timberwolves are just 1-6 ATS their last seven as a road favorite, I hesitate in laying the points. Minnesota has yet to become the kind of defensive team Tom Thibodeau prefers. With Butler out (he's the team's best defender), I'll make the Over a 10* play.
