Minnesota @ Dallas 8:35 PM EST
Minnesota +9 over Dallas (3.5 Units)
Kevin Garnett and the Timbewolves try to keep up their inspiring play when they head to Dallas to take on the league-leading Dallas Mavericks this evening... after last night's 105-98 win over the Suns, the Wolves at least salvaged one game in their current five-game road trip, and are a whopping 20-6 SU in their last 26 games overall... and while beating the Mavs might be asking a bit much of the Wolves tonight, expecting them to be able to stay within tonight's nine point spread is certainly not beyond reasonable expectation...
While many teams tend to get weaker as a long road trip progresses, the Minnesota Timberwolves seem to be the exception to that rule, going a spectacular 16-6 ATS after 3+ consecutive road games... and while many teams tend to struggle with no rest, Minnesota is also a fantastic 12-5 ATS when they have played the night before... in other words, the two factors that we might normally think would work against the Wolves may actually work to their benefit tonight against the Mavs...
The Wolves have played the Mavs tough in the last couple of meetings, as each of the last two contests between these two have been decided by three points or less... and despite the fact that the Mavs have won three straight home games against Minnesota, they have only covered the spread once in their last four home games against the T-Wolves...
Dallas has had immense difficulties covering the spread when their opponent scores 90 points or more, losing each of their last nine contests ATS... and considering that the Mavs have scored at least 94 points in each of their last six trips to Dallas, and 100+ in five of those six contests, covering the nine point spread in this game could prove virtually impossible...
Minnesota has been held to less than 90 points just twice since Christmas, and the Wolves are a very solid 4-1 ATS in their last five games as a dog of eight points or more... with the underdog also a very impressive 7-1 ATS in the last eight games in this series, we're happily backing the Wolves and taking the points...
FINAL PREDICTION: DALLAS 107, MINNESOTA 104