DALLAS, TEXAS — The 10-14 Dallas Mavericks will face off against the 6-17 Minnesota Timberwolves tonight after defeating the Golden State Warriors on Saturday in a game where the league’s best went toe-toe. Luka Doncic tied his career high in scoring, dropping 42 points to lead the Mavericks to a two point 134-132 victory converting on 52% from the field and 58% from the three point line snapping their six game home losing streak.
The Mavericks had six players finish the night with double digit scoring performances which seems to be the team’s recipe for success.
The Mavericks performance from behind the three point line has not been ideal this season with Dallas ranking among the league’s worst in three point shooting, but after their performance on Saturday night there should be a boost of confidence going forward.
As the old adage goes, shooters keep shooting, and the Mavericks have a roster full of players who can hit the occasional three pointer more often than not. It’s a true part of their offensive attack that has needed the biggest improvement and could be a key cog to their future success as the season progresses and as the team finds the rhythm they’ve been looking for.
This is a solid launching point for the Mavericks who now have a chance to go on a winning streak if they’re able to pull a win out tonight against a Timberwolves team that has lost their last 3 out of 4 games. The last time the Mavericks and Timberwolves faced one another was in the last game of the preseason where the Timberwolves walked away with the dub after beating the Mavericks in overtime 129-127, but both teams are much different versions of who they were in December.
The Mavericks weren’t nearly as healthy as they are now and the Timberwolves are still awaiting to hear whether or not Karl Anthony-Towns will be available for the game tonight after he has been sidelined due to health and safety protocols, but this is not the game you overlook but more so this must be game that the Mavericks presence is felt right from the tip to take control and dominate early.
Dallas will play their next 5 games at home and for the first time this season they will welcome 1,500 vaccinated essential workers including medical professionals, police officers, firefighters, and many more people that are classified as essential. It’s been a full calendar year that the Mavericks have had the benefit of a “home court advantage” albeit there will only be 1,500 fans in the stadium that could be enough to push momentum in the hosting teams favor.
