Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 30: Wesley Matthews #23 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Utah Jazz on October 30, 2017 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 30: Wesley Matthews #23 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Utah Jazz on October 30, 2017 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Major Key for Dallas: Shoot the Triples

Dallas has really struggled across the board to start the season, so it’s difficult to find a strength on which Rick Carlisle‘s team should be capitalizing.

Early on, one area that has helped Dallas offensively has been the 3-ball. According to NBA.com, the Mavericks have shot 33.1 3-pointers per game this season, second in the NBA behind just the slightly insane Houston Rockets.

Not only do they cast up a lot of shots, they’ve hit 38.3 percent of their 3-point takes, good for eighth in the NBA. (A quick note: the Wolves have hit 37.4 percent of their threes, good for 10th in the NBA. Who said they had no shooting?)

Dallas is led from beyond the arc by Wesley Matthews (46.2 percent), Yogi Ferrell (44.1), Dirk Nowitzki (43.8), and former Wolf J.J. Barea (41.3), who each shoot more than 3.5 threes per game.

The Mavericks also have a plethora of talented guards who can handle the basketball. Ferrell, Barea, rookie Dennis Smith Jr., and Devin Harris all receive more than 17 minutes per game on the floor and are natural point guards.

If Dallas elects to go small for periods in the game, it could affect how the Timberwolves play their lineups, or the amount of minutes Taj Gibson and/or Gorgui Dieng receive.

Regardless, it will be crucial for Minnesota to defend well on the perimeter, because Dallas has shown the ability to make teams pay from three.

Home/Timberwolves News