The Dallas Mavericks (2-1) visit the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-1) on NBA Tuesday, tipping off at 7:30 p.m. ET from Minnesota, Minneapolis. The game is airing live on TNT and streaming on Max and other streaming apps.
The Mavericks (-112) are 5-point favorites over the Timberwolves (-108) on the spread (+5), with the over/under currently at 222.5 points. The Timberwolves are -196 favorites on the moneyline to win outright, while the Mavericks are +164 to pull off the upset.
Let's dive into my Mavericks vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, October 29.
Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Prediction
My pick: Under 222.5
The Mavericks have the personnel to be one of the highest-scoring teams in the league, but they are facing a Timberwolves team capable of locking opponents down defensively.
With the Mavs playing the second game of a back-to-back and having to travel a bit to get to Minnesota, tired legs will take over late and the scoring will suffer for it. For all of your NBA bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NBA odds page.
Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Odds
| Mavericks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5 -112 | 222.5 -112o / -108u | +172 |
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5 -108 | 222.5 -112o / -108u | -200 |
- Mavericks vs. Timberwolves spread: Timberwolves -5
- Mavericks vs. Timberwolves over/under: 223.5 points
- Mavericks vs. Timberwolves moneyline: Timberwolves -210, Mavericks +176
- Mavericks vs. Timberwolves best bet: Under 222.5
Spread
The Mavs will be playing the second game of a back-to-back and that is most definitely factored into the spread. That it is so close is a testament to not only Dallas' talent but the questions still surrounding the new-look Timberwolves.
Moneyline
Similar to the spread, the lines show that there is a strong belief this one will go to the home team. The Timberwolves will be rested and have won their last two, whereas the Mavericks have yet to win on the road and are playing the second game of a back-t0-back.
Over/Under
The point total is right around where most games seem to be landing. This one is interesting in that with the Mavericks playing on consecutive nights, there is a greater chance of tired legs, missed shots and maybe not pushing as hard if it's not a close game late.
My pick: Under 222.5
Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Start Time, Channel, Streaming
| Location: | Target Center, Minnesota, Minneapolis |
| Date: | Tuesday, October 28 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | TNT / Streaming on Max |
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET start time, live from Minnesota, Minneapolis on Tuesday. The game is live on TNT and is streaming on Max.
Mavericks vs. Timberwolves NBA Preview
Dallas Mavericks: Depth Reigns Supreme
The Mavs are coming off a home win over the Jazz that improved their record to 2-1. Both of their victories this season have come at home, with their only loss coming on the road at Phoenix.
Looking at how the Mavericks win, you won't be surprised to learn that Luka Doncic is very much a matchup nightmare, as he is averaging 27.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. He is coming off a down night against the Jazz, where he made just 5-of-22 shots and scored 15 points but also pulled down nine boards and tallied eight assists.
Doncic is supported by guard Kyrie Irving, who is averaging 20 points per game, and newcomer Klay Thompson, who is at 19.6 points per outing. The latter has attempted 33 3s over his first three games this season, making 15 of them.
While boasting a Big 3 that is capable of going off and hitting shots from anywhere on the court, the Mavericks have a middling offensive efficiency rating as well as pace. As shown in their win over the Jazz, they are capable of scoring points even with one of their stars having an off game with guys like P.J. Washington, Derrick Lively II and Spencer Dinwiddie, with the latter two normally doing so off the bench.
Lively II is second on the team behind Doncic with 8.6 rebounds per game, and as a team, the Mavericks are one of the better-rebounding outfits in the league, averaging just shy of 50 boards per game.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Primed For a Run?
The Timberwolves entered this season as one of the West's more intriguing teams. They followed a deep playoff run by trading away one of their stars, and the re-shaped roster is now hoping to contend once again in a loaded conference.
They're off to a 2-1 start with wins over the Raptors and Kings and a loss to the Lakers, with Anthony Edwards and the recently acquired Julius Randle leading the way.
Edwards is scoring a team-best 27.7 points per game while also pulling down 6.3 boards and dishing out 3.7 assists. He is averaging 13.3 3-point attempts per game and making five.
Randle, formerly of the Knicks, is averaging 24.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. A big man, he is shooting over four 3-point shots per game, making more than half. Randle has been exceptionally efficient in the early going, making just about 63 percent of his roughly 14 shots per game.
The Timberwolves also get contributions from Naz Reid (13.7 points), Donte DiVincenzo (11.7 points) and Rudy Gobert (10.3 points), while Gobert also leads the team with 12.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
In all, the T'Wolves have produced the league's 13th-best offense in terms of efficiency, shooting the fifth-most 3s per game and playing at one of the slower paces. Their defense is currently ranked 10th in rating while allowing 108.7 points per game, which is seventh-best in the NBA and as a team, they are average on the glass.
