PREVIEW
Timberwolves (10-9) at Mavericks (14-6)
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Place: American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: FSSW
Radio: ESPN, 103.3 FM, Univision, 1270 AM (Spanish)
About the Mavs: The NBA has done a commendable job of reducing the number of back-to-back games. This is just the second such set for the Mavericks this season. In the first one, they won in Memphis last month after losing to New York in Dallas the previous night. They will play 13 back-to-backs this season . . . Momentum won’t be a problem after sweeping a three-game road trip, including Tuesday in New Orleans, when they smashed the Pelicans 118-97 . . . The Mavericks had decent success against the Wolves last season, going 2-1 and averaging better than 122 points in the three meetings, their highest scoring average against any team in 2018-19. Luka Doncic was particularly strong in his rookie season against the Wolves, averaging 27.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 7 assists in the three meetings. The 27.3 points were the most he averaged against any Western Conference team as a rookie . . . The Mavericks have won eight out of nine since their regrettable loss at New York in mid-November.
About the Wolves: They have been at or above .500 all season, but have never been able to get more than three games above the break-even mark, plus they are coming off a disappointing home loss to 6-14 Memphis . . . This is the beginning of a four-game trip for the Wolves. It’s the first of four meetings against the Mavericks this season, but they won’t see each other again until February . . . The Wolves should have a little more fuel in their tank than the Mavericks. They were waiting in Dallas while the Mavs played at New Orleans Tuesday night . . . The Wolves have a legitimate superstar in Karl-Anthony Towns, their 6-11 center who has transformed himself into one of the league’s best 3-point shooters on top of being among the top five in rebounding and in the top 10 in scoring. He takes roughly the same amount of his shots from beyond the 3-point arc as he does from inside it . . . Meanwhile, sixth-year guard Andrew Wiggins, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft, has had a hot start, averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists through the first six weeks of the season . . . The Wolves are on a four-game road winning streak, dating to mid-November. It’s their longest-running road winning streak since 2005, when they won five roadies in a row. Overall, they are 7-2 on the road.
Twitter: @ESefko
Share and comment