The Minnesota Timberwolves will attempt to salvage a split on their home court Friday when they host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the 2024 Western Conference Finals. Following their dramatic Game 7 comeback against the Denver Nuggets to win that second-round series, the 3-seed Wolves fell 108-105 to the 5-seed Mavs in Game 1 on Wednesday. Dallas, which is in the conference finals for the second time in the past three seasons, has an opportunity to seize command of this 2024 NBA playoff series with another road victory. Mike Conley (calf) is questionable for Minnesota.
Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET from the Target Center in Minneapolis. Minnesota is a 5.5-point favorite, per SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points scored is 207.5 in the latest Timberwolves vs. Mavericks odds. Before locking in any Mavericks vs. Timberwolves picks in Game 2 of the 2024 Western Conference finals, make sure you see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven SportsLine Projection model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model entered the conference finals in the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 94-61 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following the model has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has dialed in on Mavs vs. Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals and locked in its 2024 NBA playoff predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Timberwolves vs. Mavs:
- Timberwolves vs. Mavericks: Minnesota -5.5
- Timberwolves vs. Mavericks over/under total points: 207.5
- Timberwolves vs. Mavericks money line: Minnesota -239, Dallas +192
- DAL: The Mavericks are 39-23 against the spread when playing on equal rest as their opponent this season.
- MIN: The Timberwolves are 17-13 ATS when coming off a loss this season.
- Timberwolves vs. Mavericks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Timberwolves can cover
The Timberwolves have benefitted from a huge step up in playoff performance from fourth-year forward Jaden McDaniels following a regular season in which he didn't meet expectations. Many observers were skeptical of the five-year, $136 million extension he was given before this season and, for the most part, he gave the critics plenty of ammunition.
McDaniels averaged 10.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in the regular season while shooting just 33.7% from 3-point range and 72.2% from the free-throw line. Although McDaniels maintained his reputation as one of the league's top defenders, his lack of offensive production was largely picked up by Naz Reid, who went on to win the Sixth Man of the Year award. However, McDaniels apparently has saved his best for when it mattered most. In Games 6 and 7 against Denver, he scored 21 and 23 points respectively, while shooting 75% from the field and 67% from 3-point range.
The University of Washington product kept up his torrid pace in Game 1 against the Mavericks, taking advantage of their willingness to leave him open in order to help on other Minnesota players. McDaniels hit six 3-pointers and scored a team-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting. He added four rebounds and three assists. See which team to pick here.
Why the Mavericks can cover
If the Mavericks can find their touch from beyond the arc, they could be in line for an efficient offensive performance and give Minnesota's defense more to think about. In fact, they are coming off a historic effort in terms of winning a game despite futility from beyond the arc.
Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic bailed out the offense by creating plays by going to the basket with the shot clock dwindling, with Irving having repeated success getting by Anthony Edwards with his first move and getting into the paint. Doncic, who scored 15 of his 33 in the second half, used his signature bulldozer-type moves to get in the paint and finish with a variety of off-balance and step-back shots.
The star tandem offset a cold effort from the perimeter that saw Dallas go 6-for-25 from beyond the arc while Minnesota connected on 18-of-49. The 36-point difference from 3-point range represented the third-largest gap for a winning team in an NBA playoff game. See which team to pick here.
How to make Mavericks vs. Timberwolves picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 209 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Game 2 of Mavericks vs. Timberwolves, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has returned more than $2,800 on its NBA picks this season, and find out.
