Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview
Where: Target Center – Minneapolis, MN
When: Monday, January 9, 2017 – 8:00 PM ET
Line: Dallas Mavericks (+4.5) at Minnesota Timberwolves (-4.5); total: 195.0 – view all NBA lines
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Betting on the Dallas Mavericks (11-26)
Point Spread: +4.5
Saturday was a typical night for this Mavericks team, which meant that they were handed another loss in this very forgettable season of theirs. They bowed to the visiting Hawks, 92-87, in a game where both squads collectively shot 39.7 percent.
The Mavs don’t have a lot to offer on both ends of the floor, as evidenced to being stuck at the bottom of the West standings for much of the season. Along with being the worst scoring (95.2 PPG) and rebounding (38.5 RPG) team in the league, they are also awful in shooting the ball (43 percent, 29th overall).
Further, the team doesn’t seem to take smart shots and decisions offensively. Despite having one of the lowest shooting percentages in threes (34.6 percent), they still love to take a ton of them (30.2 per game, sixth-most overall).
The affection to outside shots, of course, have them going to the paint less, which reflects well in the stats, as they are last in the league in scoring within the shaded lane (32.6 per game).
As for matching up with the Timberwolves, expect the usual guys – Harrison Barnes (20.6 ppg) and Wesley Matthews (15.4 PPG) – to provide the scoring, although Dirk Nowitzki (11.8 PPG), who’ll be in his fifth game back from an achilles injury, could still do some damage.
The Mavericks are 4-15 on the road this season (10-9 ATS).
Betting on the Minnesota Timberwolves (11-26)
Point Spread: -4.5
The T’Wolves will be coming in as losers of five straight. They fell to the Jazz on Saturday, 94-92, despite shooting and rebounding better, and assisting just as much.
It’s that kind of season for Minny, who are still unable to showcase new head coach Tom Thibodeau’s much-respected defensive system – 17th in points allowed (104.9 PPG), 25th in defensive efficiency, and 25th in paint defense (45.3 PPG).
Offense has been their strength so far. They join the Cavaliers and the Warriors as the only teams to have three players who average 20 or more points – Andrew Wiggins (22.8 PPG), Karl-Anthony Towns (21.4 PPG), and Zach LaVine (20.6 PPG). The problem with that, though, is that it’s not translating to wins, and the team seems to rely too much on them to do a lot. Even with a consistent scoring barrage from their young trio, the Wolves are only 19th overall in points (103.1 PPG).
The Wolves are 6-13 at home this season (9-10 ATS).
Writer’s Prediction
The Wolves (-4.5) win, 115-106.
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