Minnesota Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks Betting Pick & Prediction 12/25/24
Today at 2:30 ET, the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-14) will travel to take on the Dallas Mavericks (19-10) at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Mavericks are currently favored by 5 points and have won their last two games, while the Timberwolves have lost three straight.
This Western Conference matchup can be seen on ABC.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS DALLAS MAVERICKS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Dallas Mavericks -5
This game will be played at American Airlines Center at 2:30 ET on Wednesday, December 25th.
WHY BET THE DALLAS MAVERICKS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 135-123 in favor of the Mavericks.
- Our projections have Luka Doncic finishing with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists.
- From the field, we have the Mavericks finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.6% and knocking down 17 threes.
Is A Road Victory Likely for Underdog Minnesota?
The Timberwolves fell to 14-14 on the season after a 117-104 road loss to the Hawks on Monday. Minnesota, favored by 3 points, not only lost straight up but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game finished at 221, just under the 223.5 O/U line.
Minnesota’s game was a rollercoaster. After a 12-0 run by Atlanta early, the Timberwolves responded by outscoring the Hawks 36-17 in the 2nd quarter. However, after entering the 4th quarter with an 85-82 lead, Minnesota was outscored 35-19 in the final period.
In their 117-104 loss to the Hawks, the Timberwolves shot 42.9% from the field, with a three-point percentage of 32.6%. They connected on 14 threes overall.
Naz Reid led the way with 23 points, scoring 10 in the 3rd quarter. Julius Randle added 19 points, with 9 coming in the 3rd, while Anthony Edwards finished with 16 points, 7 of which came in the 1st and 3rd quarters.
Defensively, the Timberwolves had a strong 2nd quarter, holding the Hawks to just 17 points, but they struggled in the 1st and 4th, allowing 35 points in each. Overall, they gave up 117 points on 53% shooting from the field.
Minnesota also had trouble defending the three, as Atlanta hit 18 threes at a 50% clip. The Timberwolves sent the Hawks to the line 26 times, where they made 21 free throws. Defensively, Minnesota recorded 12 steals and 3 blocks.
Can Dallas Secure a Home Victory?
With a 132-108 win over the Trail Blazers on Monday, the Mavericks improved to 19-10 on the season. Dallas, who were -13 point favorites, covered the spread with the 24-point victory. The total score of 240 points went over the pre-game line of 230.5.
After trailing 31-28 at the end of the 1st quarter, Dallas took control by outscoring Portland 34-22 in the 2nd quarter and 40-23 in the 3rd. Heading into the 4th quarter with a 102-76 lead, the Mavericks coasted to the win despite being outscored 32-30 in the final period.
The Mavericks shot 53.3% from the field in their win over the Trail Blazers, with Luka Doncic leading the way with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Daniel Gafford was perfect from the field, scoring 23 points, while Kyrie Irving added 20 points, hitting 2 threes at 33.3%.
Dallas made 12 threes as a team, shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc. Gafford was a force in the 3rd quarter, scoring 12 points, while Doncic added 10 in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters.
Despite a shaky 1st quarter where they allowed 31 points, the Mavericks tightened up defensively in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, giving up just 22 and 23 points, respectively, in their 132-108 win over the Trail Blazers. Dallas struggled again in the 4th, allowing 32 points, but their strong middle quarters helped secure the victory.
The Mavericks were particularly effective at defending the three, holding Portland to just 8 made threes on 27% shooting. They also sent the Blazers to the line 19 times, where they made 14 free throws. Dallas finished with 10 steals and 4 blocks.