DALLAS, TX – The Dallas Mavericks (44-28) drops the Minnesota Timberwolves (42-31) in Dallas on Monday night 110-108. This one was down to the wire but the Mavs are good in the final seconds as they have gone 12-2 in super close matchups like the one we had tonight.
The first quarter went back and forth for both teams but the Timberwolves won the quarter 29-23. Luka Doncic had a quiet quarter with zero points, which is not like him.
The second quarter the Mavs started to find their groove offensively as a team. Luka didn’t score until the end of the second quarter and he finished the half with seven. Dwight Powell and Spencer Dinwiddie picked up the pace offensively. Powell ended the half with 16 points and Dinwiddie added 12 points.
Dallas outscored Minnesota 37-25 in the second quarter to take a 60-54 lead into the locker room. Jalen Brunson scored a buzzer beater half court shot to end the half but it was ruled a no shot.
Dallas had more points in the paint as well as rebounds which is what gave them the seven point lead at the half.
The Mavs held a steady five point lead for the remainder of the third quarter. With four minutes left in the fourth Minnesota came back and tied it at 99-99. Timberwolves take a 103-100 lead with 3:23 remaining forcing a Dallas timeout.
Dallas comes out the timeout going on a 7-0 run giving them a four point lead with 1:14 remaining in regulation. Karl-Anthony Towns answers with a slam dunk bringing the game within two. Dorian Finney-Smith then brings it home with a three-pointer to boost Dallas back up to a four point lead.
This Dallas team played differently then they did their last couple of games. In their matchup against the Hornets Doncic carried all the weight offensively and it resulted in a loss because no team can win off one man alone.
In this matchup Doncic had a slower game then he usually does which resulted in his teammates picking up the pace offensively. It forced this Dallas team to have good ball movement and work as a team. The Mavs had 27 assists on the night and shot 48 percent from the floor. As a team Dallas scored 14 three-pointers on the night.
All five starters scored in double figures tonight, and the Mavs were led by Dwight Powell and Spencer Dinwiddle. Powell had 22 points and Dinwiddie had 20 points.
The Mavs will have an opportunity on Friday to play the Timberwolves again after they host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday here in American Airlines Center at 7:30 PM.
