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Minnesota Timberwolves game preview: Nov 4 vs Dallas Mavericks

By Alex Monseth

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 01: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts with Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves after scoring a three pointer during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Minnesota won the game 104 -98. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 01: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts with Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves after scoring a three pointer during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Minnesota won the game 104 -98. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 01: Jimmy Butler NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 01: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts with Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves after scoring a three pointer during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Minnesota won the game 104 -98. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 01: Jimmy Butler NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 01: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts with Taj Gibson #67 of the Minnesota Timberwolves after scoring a three pointer during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 1, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Minnesota won the game 104 -98. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

In a strange twist, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been winning games lately. They’ll look to make it four straight against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.

It feels like not too long ago when all Timberwolves fans heard about was the team’s ineptness at closing out games. You’ll recall that they started winless in their first ten games last season that qualified as tight contests.

This season, they’ve won all five such games with key play down the stretch.  From a 30-foot buzzer-beater, to a clutch three from the sixth man, to a crucial and-one with under a minute to play, it’s been all hands on deck to finish out games to start the season.

As a result, Minnesota sits at 5-3 on the young season. Perhaps even more importantly, they’re 4-1 against the Western Conference so far, where every win is incredibly crucial.

And while there aren’t many “gimmie” games in the West, the Dallas Mavericks may be as close as it gets in the conference.

Dallas is 1-8 on the season, having lost four games by fifteen or more points already on the season, and will be on the back end of a back-to-back after playing Friday night.

You have to like the Timberwolves chances to make it four straight victories after a 2-3 start to the season. And as John Krawczynski of The Athletic points out, this would be the first time the Timberwolves have won four straight games since 2012.

Let’s take a closer look at the matchup…

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