Minnesota Timberwolves at Mavericks
(7:30 p.m., Monday, American Airlines Center, Dallas)
TV: Fox Sports Southwest
Radio: ESPN 103.3 FM (Univision 1270 AM, Spanish)
About the Mavericks (10-14): It’s the first game at AAC this season that fans will be allowed inside the building as a select group of essential workers are getting the first live look at the Mavericks this season . . . This is their first (and only) clash with the Wolves in the first half of the season . . . This is the third of seven consecutive home games, and the familiar surroundings have been more of a mystery for the Mavs so far, but they showed that they do remember how to win at AAC on Saturday with their 134-132 victory over Golden State, which salvaged a split in their two-game series . . . James Johnson (knee) is listed as questionable. Other than that, the Mavericks remain healthy . . . After losing six in a row, they have won two of their last three, offering hope that the worst of the times are behind them . . . Kristaps Porzingis has had a double-double in three of the last four games and is averaging 21.5 points and nine rebounds while shooting 37.5 percent from 3-point range in that span . . . The Mavericks remain last in the NBA in 3-point shooting at 33.8 percent, but they perked up against the Warriors, shooting 41-of-97 in the two games from beyond the arc . . . Since Jan. 14, the Mavericks are 4-10 and have allowed an average of 119.6 points per game, which is why their defensive rating has slipped from the top five early in the season to the bottom half of the league . . . The good news is that Las Vegas believes in them. They have been installed as an 8.5-point favorite by bovada.com.
About the Wolves (6-17): They have some problems stopping people, judging from their defensive rating, which is 25th in the NBA. Then again, they have trouble scoring, too, as their offensive rating is 29th in the league . . . The Wolves are the only team that the Mavericks are ahead of in the Western Conference standings . . . Making matters worse for the Wolves is that they are without several key players. Star center Karl-Anthony Towns (safety protocols) is doubtful and has played only four games this season. D’Angelo Russell (quad) and Juan Hernangomez (conditioning) are questionable and former Texas Tech standout Jarrett Culver is out with an ankle problem . . . Without Towns, Malik Beasley has been their top offensive weapon, averaging 20.1 points per game . . . They also have 6-4 Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft. He has not shot the ball well, but has had intriguing moments and is averaging 13.7 points per game . . . The Wolves have played better of late, winning two of their last five. All of those games were decided by five points or fewer . . . They are wrapping up a five-game road trip that included games at Oklahoma City on Friday and Saturday. The Wolves won the first of those games behind 45 combined points by Beasley and Russell, who teamed up to shoot 11-of-20 from 3-point range.
Twitter: @ESefko
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