For most of the year, preparing for the Dallas Mavericks was just answering one question: “How do we slow down Luka Doncic?”
That question might not be answerable, but now it has two parts: “How do we slow down Luka, and what do we do about Kyrie?”
That’s the question that the Minnesota Timberwolves and Rudy Gobert will try to answer tonight.
On Friday, the Timberwolves didn’t have an answer for Ja Morant and Desmond Bane and lost to Memphis, 128-107. The Mavericks also lost on Saturday, but it was a successful debut for their new duo. Luka had 27 points, nine rebounds, and five assists and Kyrie had 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, in the OT loss to the Kings.
Let’s get into the odds for the Wolves and Mavs in Dallas.
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks odds, spread and total
Timberwolves vs. Mavericks prediction and pick
I’m a fan of this new construction of the Timberwolves, well at least compared to their previous construction with D’Angelo Russell. That doesn’t mean I love this team at all, but Mike Conley is a better running mate for Anthony Edwards.
However, the moves the team made at the deadline don’t come close to matching the talent level of the new Mavericks.
Dallas is perfectly built to beat a Rudy Gobert team. It’s a search and destroy mission for Kyrie and Luka all game. Find the big man in a switch and see if he can dance with you on the perimeter. I think we all know that he can’t.
The Mavs hit 20 threes against Sacramento in the first game with Luka and Kyrie both on the floor. I think they’ll have 3s available to them, but Memphis put up 74 points in the paint against Minnesota the other day, so Kyrie and Luka will be slashing at will.
Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change