The Timberwolves host the Mavericks at Target Center tonight, January 31st, for their last game of the regular season series in the Western Conference. So far in the series, the Timberwolves lead 2-1 and will be eager to justify their 14-point favorite status designated by bookie apps.
The massive point spread is due to the announced absence of Luka Doncis and Kyrie Irving. However, both teams are coming off wins. Minnesota outscored the Thunder 107-101 as an underdog, while Dallas managed to grab a win against the Magic with 131-129 as a favorite. Minnesota is making a run for the 1st seed in the Western Conference, and a win against the 7th-placed Dallas will get them closer to the goal.
Let's examine the odds available for bets with a DraftKings sports promo code.
The Timberwolves Rule the Western Conference
Minnesota is at the top of the Western Conference with a 33-14 overall record, but their position is not dominant. The Thunder, Clippers, and Nuggets are all closing in on the first seed. A win against Dallas will create breathing room for a team shaping up to be the biggest contender for the title.
The Timberwolves have seven wins out of their last ten games, and Tuesday's win against the Thunder, another title contender, shows they are in rhythm. This team scores 112.9 points per game, with a 48.9% shooting percentage from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc.
Anthony Edwards is sticking to his 25.9 points per contest average, and Karl Anthony-Towns contributes 22.6 points per game. One of the engines of the offense is Mike Conley, Minnesota's assists leader with 6.5 worthy passes per night. Defensively, center Rudy Gobert is dominating under the boards with 12.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. The Frenchman also finds time to score 13.3 points per game.
Minnesota will probably play without Mike Conley against Dallas, as the point guard is listed as questionable, while Jaylen Clark is definitely out for the game. The Timberwolves have a deep bench with rotational players Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Naz Reid, who could easily be starters on other NBA teams. Having so many options is a significant advantage in a long NBA season.
The Mavericks Will Play Without Their Top Scorers
Luka Doncic scored 73 and 45 points in the Maverick's last two wins, but despite the Slovenian's fantastic talent, 40 points is not a reality every night. The dependence on Luka can be one reason for Dallas ranking 7th in the West with a 26-21 record. Doncic is out for tonight's game, while Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum, and Derrick Jones Jr. are questionable. Without Doncic and Irving, two of the team's top scorers, Dallas' chances to beat Minnesota are slim.
Without the Mavericks' star players, the offense will probably move through Tim Hardaway Jr., who has also battled injuries. Hardaway averages 18.4 points per game but can get hot, as he did against the Magic on Tuesday when he scored 36 points. Defensively, this was not a strong team, even with Luka and Irving on the court, coinciding 118.6 points a game, ranking 21st in the league in points allowed.
Betting Prediction
Without Doncic and Irving, this will not be an evenly fought matchup, and that's reflected in the odds. The best betting sites with free bets offer -110 odds on both teams to cover the 14-point spread. A Timberwolves moneyline bet offers -1200 odds, while the Mavericks receive +750 odds for the identical bet. The total is 224 points with equal -110 odds for the Over and Under bets.
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