Minnesota Likely to Defend Home Court in Game One
Mavericks vs Timberwolves Betting, Predictions, and More

Mavericks vs Timberwolves betting lines for Game 1 are out and the Timberwolves are -4 favorites at home with a total set at 207.5. For the series, the Timberwolves are currently -175 favorites and the Mavericks are +150 underdogs.
This game (and series) will be a test of two very different teams.
The Minnesota Timberwolves hang their hat on a solid defense, led by the Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, and All-Defensive candidate Jaden McDaniels. They finished the season with a 108.4 defensive rating (number one in the league), almost two points ahead of the number two Boston Celtics. On offense, they have a young budding star in Anthony Edwards and a potent offensive costar in Karl-Anthony Towns.
Dallas is a team with a perennial MVP candidate in Luka Doncic, who they have paired with a well-balanced supporting cast. Dallas has given Luka an incredible secondary scorer and ball handler in Kyrie Irving, as well as additional offensive options like PJ Washington, Derrick Jones Jr., and Daniel Gafford. Although Dallas finished the season with a top-ten offense, their ability to become a defensive-focused team paired with Luka’s offensive brilliance is what makes them truly dangerous.
With our Mavericks vs Timberwolves betting lines, we are going to to look at the NBA team stats, matchup history, and more to see which of these teams might have a chance to get their name in the next NBA finals schedule.
Mavericks vs Timberwolves 
Records: Dallas Mavericks (50-32) @ Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26)
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Day/Time:
TV & Live Stream: TNT, TruTV, HBOMax
What Are the Odds?
These teams both have championship hopes and will need to set the tone in Game 1 to reach their ultimate goal. Right now the oddsmakers have the Mavericks as the third most likely favorites to win it all at +500. The Timberwolf’s odds to win NBA championship are second shortest (behind the Boston Celtics) at +270.
Player Props to Check
Game 1 is always tough to predict. The NBA player props trends from the last round are hard to bank on, but general playoff trends are worth looking at. We are predicting Game 1 to be a defensive battle, so looking towards the under for some player props.
Anthony Edwards is one player to look at for a points under bet. He has been phenomenal on both sides of the ball during these playoffs, but his scoring has been a bit inconsistent. Over his last six games, Edwards has gone under on his points prop five times. His line for Game 1 is 28.5 points, a line that he only eclipsed twice in his seven-game series against the Nuggets.
Kyrie Irving is a player to look at for Dallas who might go under on his points total. Kyrie has also played well throughout these playoffs but hasn’t been able to score with the consistency he had during the regular season. Irving has gone under his points total in four of his last six games, and six of his last ten. His line on Wednesday is 21.5, and we think there is a good chance he is unable to reach that mark.
Timberwolves Slight Favorites
Mavericks vs Timberwolves betting lines for Game 1 are the Timberwolves -4 with a total set at 207.5. The last time these two franchises played in the playoffs was 2002 when Dallas swept the Timberwolves in the first round. Now, we are getting a battle between two of the premier young superstars in the league, Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards, and a sweep is extremely unlikely.
While Minnesota won the regular season series 3-1, Dallas has added key players like Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington. This changes the defensive dynamic, with interesting matchups like Lively/Gafford vs. Gobert and Washington vs. Towns. Minnesota has dominated this year’s playoffs with their size and strength, and will likely try to exert their physical dominance on Dallas in Game 1.
We expect Minnesota to come out riding their confidence and energy from Sunday’s Game 7 win against the defending champions. Dallas has also lost Game 1 in each of their two series this playoffs. We expect this series to stay close, but Luka usually takes a game or two to figure out opposing teams’ defenses, and with Minnesota’s defensive greatness, it will be difficult to steal Game 1 on the road.
Look for Minnesota to take Game 1 at home, and for the game to hit the under. In their last ten matchups versus the Mavericks, the Timberwolves are 6-4 straight up and 5-5 against the spread. The point total in those games went 2-7-1.
Mavericks vs Timberwolves Odds
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