Dallas Mavericks vs Minnesota Timberwolves 3/25/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream

Dallas Mavericks vs Minnesota Timberwolves Matchup Preview (3/25/22)

The 5th seed Dallas Mavericks (45-28) travel to face the 7th seed Minnesota Timberwolves (42-32) Friday night. The Mavericks are 9-3 in their last 12 games, but their path has not been one of dominance. They own the 20th Offensive Rating and 12th Defensive Rating in that span, and they won a lot of close games. Dallas is coming off a 110-91 win over the Houston Rockets. No Luka, no problem. Dinwiddie produced 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists on 61.5 FG%. Jalen Brunson scored 28 points on 52.6 FG%. The Mavericks were down one point at halftime, but they outscored the Rockets 58-38 in the second half. The three-point-happy Rockets shot an abysmal 4/28 (14.3%) from deep and couldn’t sustain their solid first half performance. Luka is off the injury report and ready to play against the Timberwolves. However, Trey Burke and Davis Bertans are out. 

The Timberwolves are also 9-3 in their last 12 games, but their stretch has been far more impressive. They have the 2nd Offensive Rating and best Defensive Rating over that stretch. The Timberwolves enter this contest after losing to the Phoenix Suns 125-116. Minnesota lost the center battle; Towns had 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Deandre Ayton had 35 points and 14 rebounds. Anthony Edwards was decent with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists on 41.1 FG%. The Timberwolves outscored the Suns bench 55-28, yet they still couldn’t quench the scorching Suns. Karl-Anthony Towns is listed as questionable, but he has held that status for the past few games and still played. I think Towns plays because of this game’s importance for seeding. Jaden McDaniels is out for the Timberwolves once again.

Dallas Mavericks vs Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Odds

The Mavericks are 2-1 against the Timberwolves this season, and the most recent game was a 110-108 Mavericks win on March 21st. Dwight Powell scored 22 points on 8/8 from the field, and Dinwiddie scored 20 points off the bench. Towns had 22 points and 8 rebounds even though he wasn’t 100% healthy. In this game, I like the Timberwolves to defeat the Mavericks. They have been arguably the best team post All-Star break, dominating on both ends of the floor. Minnesota has the star power to contend with Luka Doncic, and their sneaky depth compensates for Dinwiddie’s impact off the bench. Minnesota plays at the fastest pace in the NBA, while the Mavericks play at the slowest pace. This stark contrast will be an easier adjustment for the Timberwolves rather than the Mavericks. 

TV Schedule

Date: 3/25/22
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Arena: Target Center – Minneapolis, MN
Channel: NBA League Pass

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Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup

PG: Luka Doncic
SG: Jalen Brunson
SF: Reggie Bullock
PF: Dorian Finney-Smith
C: Dwight Powell

Dallas Mavericks Analysis

With Luka back, the Mavericks have their main scorer and playmaker to rely on. The MVP-candidate is averaging 27.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG, and 8.6 APG on a 45.3 FG%. Minnesota wields a pesky pick and roll defense, and defensive nuisance Patrick Beverley likely marks Doncic. The Mavericks should hunt D’Angelo Russell’s poor defense by switching him through screens and forcing him to guard Doncic instead of Beverley. Reggie Bullock and Dorian Finney-Smith are 3&D wings who will come in handy here. They cannot allow Anthony Edwards to put up huge numbers because he is the determining factor of their success. Towns will almost always put up his numbers, but Edwards is extremely volatile. If he has a good game, it’s almost impossible to stop this explosive Minnesota offense. 

The X factor is Dwight Powell for a multitude of reasons. On offense, he pressures the rim by rolling to the basket. When he can get quick points, it forces the center to not semi-double Luka on the pick. Luka in an isolation opportunity is a great recipe for success, and Powell can help make this a reality. Defensively, Powell needs to protect the rim and force the Timberwolves to become outside shooters. Towns is so transcendent that he will make an impact, so holding him to 20 points and 10 rebounds would be a victory for Powell. Edwards loves to drive towards the basket, and he is much less effective as a jump shooter. Powell needs to deter Edwards and force him to settle for mid range jumpers. If Powell has a bad game, the Mavericks defense won’t be able to stop the Timberwolves from attacking the basket. 

Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Lineup

PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Patrick Beverley
SF: Anthony Edwards
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
C: Karl-Anthony Towns

Minnesota Timberwolves Analysis

A vital source of their success is Patrick Beverley. He plays excellent defense against guards, but it’s his infectious attitude that has given the Timberwolves a spark this season. Towns finally looks like he cares, and Edwards embraces this killer mentality. Minnesota likely asks Beverley to hound Luka Doncic and get under his skin. He’s also facilitating 4.7 APG, so he can handle some secondary playmaking duties. D’Angelo Russell (18.3 PPG and 7.1 APG) – Beverley’s backcourt partner –  is the main ball handler who captains the offense. Luka will mark Russell since Brunson will be hidden on Patrick Beverley. Russell needs to make Luka expend energy on the defensive end and tire him. The Timberwolves must use every tactic they can to slow Luka. 

The bench will be crucial; Spencer Dinwiddie is a formidable opponent who can drop 25 points. Fortunately, the Timberwolves feature a dynamic duo in their bench backcourt – Malik Beasley (12.2 PPG, 37.7 3PT%) and Jaylen Nowell (8.4 PPG, 38.8 3PT%) can counter Dinwiddie’s production. Taurean Prince provides some two-way play at the wing position, and Naz Reid contributes interior defense and rebounding. Overall, there is a lot to like about this Timberwolves bench. 

Dallas Mavericks vs Minnesota Timberwolves Daily Fantasy Picks

I like Luka, Russell, and Towns in this matchup. Luka is a must-play every game even though his price is expensive. He affects the game in so many ways and stuffs the box score. Towns is also a perennial 20/10 guy who has a decent matchup here. Even though he is dinged up, I think Towns shows up for this game and drops a 30-point double-double. For a cheaper option than these All-Stars, D’Angelo Russell is a solid choice. He won’t be guarded by an elite defender, and he constantly has the ball in his hands. Look for Russell to secure a double-double while flirting with 20 points.