The Dallas Mavericks (19-35) and Minnesota Timberwolves (34-22) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The game will broadcast live on ESPN.
The Timberwolves are 13.5-point favorites over the Mavericks on the spread (Timberwolves -13.5), with the over/under set at 238.5 total points. Minnesota is a -700 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Dallas is +500 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Mavericks vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks for Friday, February 20.
Mavericks vs Timberwolves Prediction
- Mavericks vs Timberwolves pick: Timberwolves -13.5 (-112)
My Mavericks vs Timberwolves best bet is on Minnesota to cover the spread at -13.5. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Mavericks vs Timberwolves Odds
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+13.5 -108 | 238.5 -108o / -112u | +500 |
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-13.5 -112 | 238.5 -108o / -112u | -700 |
Mavericks vs Timberwolves NBA Preview
As two of the teams that got to extend their All-Star break an extra day, the Mavericks and Timberwolves will face off in Minnesota tonight.
One player who was busy over the weekend was Anthony Edwards, who was one of the reasons this year's All-Star Game was more competitive than in recent years.
Edwards scored 32 points in 26 minutes across three games to take home All-Star Game MVP as Team Stars won two of the three games.
Edwards has averaged 29.3 points per game this season and is the league's third-leading scorer.
However, he has failed to reach that scoring average of late against the Mavericks, putting up 21, 13 and 20 points in his last three games against them.
Minnesota has still managed to win each of those games, as well as four of the last five meetings overall.
Dallas got the last laugh in the Western Conference two years ago, but the organization has gone through a lot of turnover since.
It has now been a little over a year since the Luka Doncic trade, and Dallas has already moved the main piece it received in the deal, Anthony Davis.
However, it does have a new face of the franchise in Cooper Flagg, who is having a historic rookie season.
Flagg missed the team's final game before the All-Star break with a left mid-foot sprain. He was not expected to miss much time, but he is out for tonight's game.
Don’t be surprised if that timetable extends, as the Mavericks are currently tanking to surround him with more help.
The Mavericks lost nine games heading into the All-Star break.
In that span, they rank 25th in defensive rating after being a strong defensive team for much of the year.
In addition to Flagg, Daniel Gafford, Max Christie and Caleb Martin are all questionable.
Additionally, Kyrie Irving will not return this season as he recovers from a torn ACL.
Mavericks vs Timberwolves Predictions, Betting Analysis
Timberwolves -13.5
Minnesota went into the All-Star break winning seven of its last 10 games and covering six of them.
In all six covers, it won by double digits, including a 118-105 victory over the Mavericks. At home, it should have plenty of advantages once again.
While Dallas has been fading defensively, Minnesota ranks fifth in offensive rating and sixth in net rating over the last 10 games.
For the season, Dallas ranks 26th in offensive rating, while Minnesota ranks seventh in defensive rating. At home, that improves to third in defensive rating this season.
I don't expect Dallas to get much done offensively without Flagg.
The Mavericks have scored 111 points or fewer in six of their last nine games. They have lost seven of those games by nine points or more and fell to the Lakers by 20 without Flagg.
Though it is a big number, I expect Minnesota to win comfortably and cover at home tonight.
Jaden McDaniels 10+ Points
Jaden McDaniels scored eight points in his last game against Dallas, but he has scored 18 points or more in six of his last seven games since.
He has still scored 10 points in three of his last five games against the Mavericks, including 27 in one of them.
Ayo Dosunmu 10+ Points
Ayo Dosunmu has wasted no time acclimating himself to Minnesota.
In three games as a member of the Timberwolves, he is averaging 14.7 points per game.
Over his last 10 games overall, he has averaged 17.2 per game, scoring at least 10 points in each of them.
Donte DiVincenzo 4+ Rebounds
Donte DiVincenzo averages 4.5 rebounds per game this season, and he has pulled down four or more in seven of his last 10 games.
He has had five rebounds in each of his last two games against Dallas.
The Mavericks rank 28th in rebounds allowed and last specifically against shooting guards.
Mavericks vs Timberwolves Best Bet
- Timberwolves -13.5 (-112, DraftKings)
Mavericks vs Timberwolves Parlay Picks
- Jaden McDaniels 10+ Points
- Ayo Dosunmu 10+ Points
- Donte DiVincenzo 4+ Rebounds
Parlay Odds: +158 via DraftKings
Timberwolves vs Mavericks Betting Trends
