Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction: Can Tim Hardaway Jr. Step Up Tonight?
The Dallas Mavericks travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Can Tim Hardaway Jr. step up for the Mavericks tonight. Ben Rajavuori answers.
Ben Rajavuori - January 31, 2024, 2:14 PM EST
5 minDallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction: Can Tim Hardaway Jr. Step Up Tonight?
The Mavericks are coming off a home win against the Magic, which puts them in seventh place in the Western Conference with a record of 26–21. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are coming off a massive victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, which gave them back first place in the Western Conference overall with a record of 33–14. However, tonight’s game is not projected to be very close, as the Mavericks are dealing with several injuries tonight against a healthy Minnesota club. What should we expect in this game?
Mavericks vs. Timberwolves DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: January 31, 2024
- Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: NBA League Pass
Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
As it stands right now, the Mavericks will be down leading score Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum, Derrick Jones Jr., and Derek Lively II tonight. That is four of their five starters and one of their good bench players. Production will be very thin tonight, which leads me to tonight‘s pick on Tim Hardaway Jr.
Tim Hardaway Jr. is the remaining leading score that is healthy for the Mavericks tonight. He is averaging 18.4 points per game this season. However, when there are injuries, he moves into the starting role. In nine starts this year, Tim Hardaway Jr. is averaging 24 points on 3.8–9.4 threes. Hardaway Jr. has averaged just under 30 minutes per game this season, but he’s averaging over 34 minutes per game when he is starting, and with how many injuries there are tonight, he will likely be in the high 30s like he has been in the last few games.
With extra minutes on the floor and so much of the offensive production out of this game, Tim Hardaway Jr. will likely be the leading score for the Mavericks tonight. His points line is 23.5, which feels low, considering the weight he will have on the offense in this situation.Hardaway Jr. has played three games against the Wolves this season, two with Luka Doncic healthy and one without Luka. In the two games with Luka healthy, Hardaway Jr. had 12 points and 10 points.
In the game against the Wolves without Luka, Hardaway Jr. had 32 points on 19 field goal attempts. That is no coincidence, and with Irving out as well, 23.5 points feels like a low line for Hardaway Jr. in this spot. Hardaway Jr. has played six games without Luka Doncic this season, and he has hit 24 points in four of six of them, including three straight. I think 24 will be easy for him tonight.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Pick
Pick: Tim Hardaway Jr. Over 23.5 Points -118 CLICK HERE TO SEE WHICH SPORTSBOOK HAS THE BEST ODDS
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