It has been ten days since the Dallas Mavericks (24-19) last saw the Minnesota Timberwolves (13-30) and tonight they play host to them in game two of a three-game homestand. The Mavericks are coming off a much needed win against the Boston Celtics (22-20) Monday night that required overtime to decide a victor.
The Mavericks blew a 17-point lead they once held in the first-half and eventually trailed the Celtics by one until Dirk Nowitzki knocked down two free throws with 23.0 seconds remaining in the final period. In the extra period, Deron Williams would give the Mavericks a lift with back-to-back 3-pointers, and assisted on a huge 3-pointer by Nowitzki, eventually leading to 118-113 win over a young and talented Celtics squad.
Nowitzki tied his season high with 31 points while recording 11 rebounds making that his 112th game he has recorded 30 points and 10 rebounds, becoming the active leader in that category. Williams ended with 20 points and six assists, scoring 10 of his points in overtime. Other Mavericks to score double-digits included: Chandler Parsons (16), Wesley Matthews (15) and Raymond Felton (14).
The Mavericks lead the season series over the Timberwolves (1-0), but the reason they pulled out the 93-87 victory will need to be a different story tonight.
During shoot around today, Nowitzki was ruled OUT (right knee swelling) and Raymond Felton was also ruled OUT (eye injury) as he was poked in the eye late in the game against the Celtics.
“He’s out tonight. He’s got a right knee effusion, which I think means swelling, so he’ll be out. And (Raymond) Felton will be out as well with his eye. – Rick Carlisle
In the first meeting between the two teams, it was Nowitzki and his 29 points and seven rebounds that secured a Mavericks victory. The pressure will be on Williams and Matthews to improve from their combined nine points in that game if the Mavericks want to make it two straight wins.
It won’t only be the scoring the Mavericks will need from Matthews, they also need his lockdown defense on Andrew Wiggins who led Minnesota with 21 points in the last meeting.
All season the Mavericks have continued to play up to the better teams in the league (despite the 112-83 loss to the San Antonio Spurs) and play down to some of the worse. I hate to say tonight is a much needed win for the Mavs but if they lose, prepare for the media to categorize them as average, if not worse.
OUT:
Dirk Nowitzki
Raymond Felton
How To Watch:
Game tips off at 7:30 p.m. CT, airing locally on Fox Sports Southwest and 103.3 FM ESPN.
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