Timberwolves-Mavericks game preview: Broadcast info, injury report, odds and analysis

at Dallas Mavericks, American Airlines Center, 7:30 p.m. Thursday

TV; radio: BSN Extra; iHeartRadio app

Stats and analytics: Tap here.

Today's line: Mavericks by 2.5

Pregame reading: The Wolves are in their most difficult stretch of the season — and that stretch just started.

Opening bell: Anthony Edwards' availability will play a large part in the Wolves' chances on Thursday. He missed Monday's loss to the Pelicans because of a lingering hip pointer that he aggravated Friday in Memphis. He is questionable for Thursday. The Mavericks will be without Kyrie Irving as he recovers from a right heel contusion, so the Wolves defense can center the bulk of its attention around Luka Doncic, who has led the Mavericks to four consecutive wins, including a 127-125 victory over the Lakers on Tuesday.

Watch him: Doncic is second in the league in scoring behind Philadelphia's Joel Embiid at 32 points per game, as well as being fourth in assists (8.9) and averaging 8.2 rebounds. Doncic is shooting a career-best 38% from three-point range.

Forecast: Thursday's game feels like a tossup. If Edwards plays, the Wolves' offense should be able to score at a high rate against a defense that is 23rd in the league. Dallas' third-rated offense will take a hit with Irving out, and the Wolves have the perimeter defenders to keep Doncic in check, at least relative to his high standards. But the possibility exists that he torches them anyway and leads Dallas to another win.