The Dallas Mavericks are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves after the All-Star break, with the game scheduled for February 20, 2026, at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The Mavericks will head into this matchup missing key player Cooper Flagg, adding pressure as they look to break a concerning trend against Minnesota, who has bested them in two previous encounters this season by margins of 24 and 13 points. As it stands, Dallas is engaged in a tank mode, while the Timberwolves are fighting closely for a playoff position, sitting just one game out of third place in the Western Conference.
Fans from both teams are fueled by their respective expectations for this game. The Mavericks will require an exceptional performance to keep the contest competitive given their current struggles.
Season performance has been mixed for the analysts evaluating this matchup, with Tyler posting a 20-31 record overall, while David has managed a stronger 28-22. The latest odds reflect significant expectations for the Timberwolves, with the Mavericks set as underdogs with a 14.5-point spread.
Game details include:
– Spread: Mavericks +14.5 (-112)
– Total Over/Under: 239.5 (-110/-110)
– Moneyline: Mavericks +530
Tyler has made specific picks, favoring Minnesota to lead by at least 4.5 points in the first quarter, betting on an under total for points, and predicting strong individual performances from Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid, given the Mavericks’ challenges in defense. David’s predictions echo a similar sentiment, predicting a Timberwolves blowout led by a healthy P.J. Washington, while also anticipating Anthony Edwards to scale back his scoring given the expected ease of the victory.
As the Mavericks aim to finish the season on a positive note, fans will be looking for any spark of hope amidst their current difficulties, while Timberwolves supporters anticipate a strong performance as they push for a better playoff position.