Timberwolves-Dallas gameday preview
October 20, 2018 at 3:55AM
Timberwolves are proven winners in Dallas
Preview: The Wolves finish off their first back-to-back of the season at American Airlines Center, where they were 2-0 last season. The Wolves swept the Mavericks last year, going 4-0, and have won five straight. The Mavericks have a much different look, having traded for European star guard Luka Doncic and signed center DeAndre Jordan.
Players to watch: All five Wolves starters averaged in double figures vs. the Mavs last season, led by C Karl-Anthony Towns (23.8 points, 13.8 rebounds), G Jimmy Butler (15.7, 7.0) and F Andrew Wiggins (15.0). The Mavs backcourt of Dennis Smith Jr. and Wes Matthews combined for 25 points and 13 assists in a season-opening loss to Arizona. Doncic had 10 points on 5-for-16 shooting in his NBA debut.
Numbers: Minnesota has held the Mavs under 100 points in each of the past eight meetings ( 91.4 points-per-game average).
Injuries: Wolves C Justin Patton (foot) is out. Dallas F Dirk Nowitzki (ankle), F Harrison Barnes (hamstring) and G Devin Harris (hamstring) are out.
Kent Youngblood
about the writer
On Friday’s Daily Delivery podcast, host Michael Rand picks apart Shaquille O’Neal’s bizarre, attention-seeking assertion that Rudy Gobert is the worst player in the NBA. Plus he talks Vikings and Twins and shares the story of a local baseball fan with a home run ball that got away.
