Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves rival’s perspective: Dallas has real talent

By Brian Sampson

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 5: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks goes to the basket against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 5, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 5: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks goes to the basket against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 5, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Minnesota Timberwolves tip-off against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday so it’s time to check in with Mavericks’ beat writer Tim Cato.

The Minnesota Timberwolves look to extend their win streak to four games on Saturday in a home contest against the Dallas Mavericks. Let’s see what Tim Cato of SB Nation has to say.

1. Are the Mavericks as bad as their 1-8 record says?

Tim Cato via SB Nation (@tim_cato): The Mavericks aren’t good, and they’re especially not good while Dennis Smith makes his NBA adjustment and Seth Curry remains sidelined. (Curry was surprisingly effective last season (if you missed it.) The 1-8 record isn’t totally indicative of what this team can be, but the high water mark I set for them in the preseason — 36 wins or so — seems a few too high at this point. Dallas has real talent, so you can’t write them off, but it hasn’t gelled into a cohesive basketball team yet. The Timberwolves shouldn’t be happy with anything except a win.

Brian Sampson via Dunking With Wolves (@BrianSampsonNBA): The Mavericks have a lot more talent than their 1-8 record suggest. With players like Harrison Barnes, Wes Matthews, Nerlens Noel and an aging Dirk Nowitzki their pieces don’t quite fit together. However, I expect Minnesota to use them as a stepping stone and continue their mini win streak.

2. What will be Dallas’ gameplan against the Timberwolves? What weaknesses will they exploit?

More from Dunking with Wolves

Tim: I understand the rationale behind the Taj Gibson signing, but I still don’t like it. Having a non-stretch big who isn’t an elite scorer on the floor will give Dirk Nowitzki a hiding place defensively, and that’s a huge plus for Dallas. It’s growing increasingly hard for them to keep him on the floor, given his aging defense and his struggles to even be effective offensively. The Mavericks also shoot a ton of threes. A good shooting night from Wes Matthews, Yogi Ferrell and others would go a long way towards making up the talent gap, especially given the Timberwolves are the third-worst shooting three-point team in the league.

Brian: Per usual with Timberwolves’ opponents I expect them to attack Karl-Anthony Towns via the pick-and-roll. Dallas will have a lot more difficult time than the New Orleans Pelicans, however, considering they don’t have nearly the frontcourt. Fortunately for Dallas, Noel’s athletic ability and mobility should present a unique challenge for Towns who’s coming off the worst game of his career.

3. If you were the head coach of the Timberwolves, how would you attack the Mavericks?

Tim: The Mavericks still haven’t found a center they like, despite a deep bench. I’m not sure why Nerlens Noel hasn’t emerged as a 30-minutes-per-night player, and it’s (mostly) not his fault for that, but Karl-Anthony Towns should have plenty of room to feast on whatever center of the night Rick Carlisle is leaning on. Dallas hasn’t been great on either end, so prevent them from hitting threes and that’ll go a long ways towards a good home win for Minnesota.

Brian: Continued ball movement and putting Minnesota’s players in prime position to succeed (like always) should be at the forefront of the Timberwolves’ gameplan. I don’t want to overlook an opponent like the Mavericks, but this can definitelybe a game where Minnesota can try out some sets or looks they haven’t yet revealed this season.

Home/Timberwolves News