The Minnesota Timberwolves (22-21) and Dallas Mavericks (23-20) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The game will broadcast live on ESPN.
The Timberwolves are 3-point favorites over the Mavericks on the spread (Wolves -3), with the over/under set at 216 total points. Minnesota is a -155 favorite to win outright, while Dallas is +130 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Timberwolves vs. Mavericks predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, January 22.
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Picks, Prediction
Spread
My Mavericks vs. Timberwolves best bet is on Minnesota to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at ESPN Bet. But as always make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Moneyline
I do not have a moneyline bet for this matchup. However, I will be backing the Timberwolves to win and cover the spread as short road favorites.
Over/Under
I'm staying away from the total in tonight's contest.
My Pick: Timberwolves -2.5 (-115) at ESPN Bet
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Odds
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 216 -110 / -110 | -155 |
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 216 -110 / -110 | +130 |
- Timberwolves vs. Mavericks spread: Timberwolves -3
- Timberwolves vs. Mavericks over/under: 216 total points
- Timberwolves vs. Mavericks moneyline: Timberwolves -155, Mavericks +130
- Timberwolves vs. Mavericks best bet: Timberwolves -2.5 (-115)
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Preview
Since facing off in the 2024 Western Conference finals, the Timberwolves and Mavericks have split the first two meetings this season. The latest was a 105-99 Timberwolves victory on Christmas Day. That was also the last time the Mavericks had superstar Luka Doncic available. The Slovenian remains out with a calf strain, but he is expected to be re-evaluated soon.
Additionally, Dallas will also be shorthanded tonight without Jaden Hardy while Dereck Lively II, Klay Thompson, and Quentin Grimes are all questionable. The biggest absence for Minnesota tonight is Donte DiVincenzo, who will be out indefinitely with a toe sprain. While DiVincenzo got off to a slow start with his new team, he was averaging 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists this month and it takes a playmaker off the floor for the Timberwolves.
That means the ball will be in Anthony Edwards' hands more often and that is rarely a bad thing. Edwards is on track to be selected as an All-Star for the third consecutive season. Since the turn of the new year, he is averaging 30.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while shooting 46.5% from behind the arc.
In the frontcourt, Julius Randle has stepped up of late while Naz Reid has seen more minutes of late in place of Rudy Gobert. Randle is averaging 8.5 rebounds this month. He is coming off a rough shooting performance on Monday afternoon, but he will be motivated to play in his hometown. He had 23 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists against the Mavericks on Christmas.
Reid struggled in the last meeting against the Mavericks, but since he has been on fire. In his last 14 games, he is averaging 16.7 points while shooting 52% from the field and 49% from three. These offensive performances have helped Minnesota rank ninth in offensive rating over during this stretch.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving led a furious Mavericks comeback in the last meeting and finished with 39 points. He has scored 30 points in each of his last five regular season games against Minnesota and eight of his last 10 overall. Irving is coming off consecutive games of 25 points as well.
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Prediction
Typically, we can come to expect Minnesota will bring the effort defensively. They rank seventh in defensive rating for the season and now face a Mavericks team without their best player. However, they are also trending towards the top 10 on the offensive end as well.
Meanwhile, Dallas picked up a big win over Oklahoma City on Friday but followed that up with a loss to Charlotte. The Mavs have lost seven of their last 10 games and failed to cover eight of them. Minnesota has not been the greatest team against the spread itself, but as a short-road favorite, I'm backing it to get it done tonight.
My same-game parlay will be heavy on the Timberwolves as well. Edwards has scored 20 points in nine of his last 10 games, reaching 25 in eight of them. He has also scored 25 points against Dallas in five of the last seven regular-season meetings.
Reid has scored 15 points in seven of his last nine games, going over 20 in two of the last three games. Randle is apart of our winning parlay on Monday when he had 11 rebounds. I am taking him for eight tonight, which he has cleared in five of his last seven games.
Without Doncic, Irving will see increased defensive attention, but he will also tasked to score. With a strong track record against Minnesota, I am taking him for 25 points for the final leg of this parlay.
Best Bet: Timberwolves -2.5 (Play to -3.5)
Same Game Parlay Picks
- Anthony Edwards 25+ Points
- Kyrie Irving 25+ Points
- Naz Reid 15+ Points
- Julius Randle Over 7.5 Rebounds
Parlay Payout: +896 at FanDuel
Mavericks vs Timberwolves Betting Trends
