Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks: Odds, injuries, what to watch for

The Minnesota Timberwolves head down I-35 to take on the Dallas Mavericks as both teams contend with short-handed rosters.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks: Odds, injuries, what to watch for

The Timberwolves and Mavericks are hardly the only teams around the NBA dealing with extreme roster upheaval that is at least partly due to health and safety protocols, but it is the primary storyline heading into Tuesday evening’s matchup between the current No. 8 and No. 9 teams in the Western Conference.

In the case of the Wolves, the roster shake-up is entirely due to COVID-19. Five players are out due to health and safety protocols, including three starters in Anthony Edwards, Patrick Beverley, and Jarred Vanderbilt. Josh Okogie and Taurean Prince will each miss the game as well.

The Mavericks are still without several players for a variety of reasons, but since their loss to the Wolves on Sunday, Maxi Kleber has been added to the injury report due to health and safety protocols.

On Sunday, the Wolves won by six points in a game that they led comfortably for long stretches. In a one-possession game in the final minute, D’Angelo Russell came through in the clutch once again and the team played strong all-around defense to seal the victory.

Minnesota Timberwolves odds at Dallas Mavericks

Somewhat surprisingly, the Mavericks are listed as 1.5-point favorites against the Wolves on Tuesday according to WynnBet. Yes, they have homecourt advantage, but the Wolves will have two of their three best players available in Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell while the Mavs are without Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis is listed as questionable.

TV and streaming info for Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks

• Tip-off: 7:30 CT
• Television: Bally Sports North
• Radio: 830 WCCO
• Stream: Fubo.tv offers streaming options

What to watch for in Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks

While Edwards, Okogie, and Prince all missed Sunday’s game, the Wolves starting lineup will look different once again on Tuesday with the fresh absences of Beverley and Vanderbilt.

Along with D’Angelo Russell and Towns, the Wolves will likely trot out Malik Beasley and Jaden McDaniels. The fifth and final starting spot is a bit more of a mystery, but don’t be surprised if it’s rookie Leandro Bolmaro.

The other possibility is if head coach Chris Finch wants to keep McDaniels coming off the bench, in which case we could see two-way player Nathan Knight as part of the starting five.

Newcomers Chris Silva and Rayjon Tucker, who each signed 10-day contracts via the hardship exception, will probably both see the floor, as will Jordan McLaughlin, who had recently lost his spot in the regular rotation.

The Mavs have had less change since Sunday’s game, although there’s a chance that Porzingis doesn’t play in addition to the new absence of Kleber. Their frontcourt will be limited, with only Dwight Powell and Moses Brown to contend with Towns, although there is a strong possibility that we’ll be blessed with minutes from Boban Marjonovic at some point during the game.

While the absences of Vanderbilt and Beverley will make it more challenging, the Wolves need to hold their own on the glass and do their best to defend without fouling in this one. If they can, this is yet another winnable game against a decent team that is missing their best player.

Remember, the Wolves are only a half-game ahead of the Mavericks in the conference standings, so getting a leg up both there and in the ever-important head-to-head record (in case of any tiebreakers that may eventually crop up) is incredibly important.

Injury report for Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks

The Wolves are without Edwards, Vanderbilt, Beverley, Prince, and Okogie. All are out due to health and safety protocols.

The Mavericks are without Kleber and Josh Green for the same reason. Doncic will miss his fifth consecutive game with an ankle injury, while Willie Cauley-Stein remains out for personal reasons. Reggie Bullock is still out, too, and Porzingis is listed as questionable following the toe injury suffered Sunday against the Timberwolves.

We’ll be back after the game with takeaways and player grades. Enjoy hoops, and here’s to 16-15!