Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals has the No. 3 seed Minnesota Timberwolves hosting the No. 5 seed Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. The Mavericks were last in the WCF during the 2021-22 season and fell to the Golden State Warriors in five games. As for Minnesota, it's been a long time coming. The last time the Wolves were in the Western Conference Finals came in the 2003-04 campaign when they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 4-2. Mike Conley (calf) is questionable for Minnesota.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET at Target Center in Minneapolis. Minnesota is a 4.5-point favorite in the latest Timberwolves vs. Mavericks odds via SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points is 207. Before making any Mavericks vs. Timberwolves picks, be sure to check out what legendary SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall has to say.
An in-demand guest on numerous sports talk radio and TV shows across the country, Marshall, who was synonymous with The Gold Sheet, the famed sports betting newsletter, has seen a vast array of editorial work has been featured in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the New York Post and many other outlets. He has won various handicapping titles and also is working on several book projects. Marshall has crushed hisNBA picksthis season for SportsLine members, entering this matchup on a 191-141 run that has returned more than $3,600 for $100 players. Anybody following is way up.
Now, he has set his sights on Mavericks vs. Timberwolves and just locked in his picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Mavericks vs. Timberwolves:
- Timberwolves vs. Mavericks spread: Minnesota -4.5
- Timberwolves vs. Mavericks over/under: 207 points
- Timberwolves vs. Mavericks moneyline: Minnesota -189, Dallas +157
- MIN: The Timberwolves are 48-42-3 against the spread this season.
- DAL: The Mavericks are 55-39 against the spread this season.
- Timberwolves vs. Mavericks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Timberwolves can cover
ForwardKarl-Anthony Towns is a great floor spacer in the frontcourt. Towns gives outstanding energy on the defensive end with an offensive skillset to get a score from all three levels. The 28-year-old is averaging 18.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and shooting 44% from beyond the arc in the postseason. In his previous outing, Towns finished with 23 points and 12 boards.
Forward Jaden McDaniels provides Minnesota with another lengthy and disruptive force on the defensive end. McDaniels will get into the paint and has a smooth jumper when his feet are set. The Washington product logs 12.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, one steal, and 1.2 blocks in the 2024 NBA playoffs. He has supplied 20-plus points in two straight games, including on May 19 when McDaniels had 23 points, six boards, and two steals.See which team to pick here.
Why the Mavericks can cover
Guard Luka Doncic is an exceptional playmaker on the court. Doncic is able to shift through a defense with ease to facilitate the rock or create his own shot. The five-time All-Star has a streaky perimeter shot and can catch fire. In the 2024 NBA playoffs, he leads the team in points (27.2), rebounds (9.7) and assists (9.1). He's recorded three straight triple-doubles. In his last outing, Doncic had 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Guard Kyrie Irving is one of the best ball handlers in the league. Irving has always been acrobatic around the rim but owns a reliable jumper on the outside. His basketball IQ is what takes him to another level. Irving logs 21.1 points, four rebounds and 5.4 assists per game in the postseason. In the Game 6 win over the Thunder, he had 22 points, three assists and made four 3-pointers. See which team to pick here.
How to make Mavericks vs. Timberwolves picks
Marshall is leaning Under on the point total. He's also discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the point spread. He's only sharing what it is, and which side to back, at SportsLine.
So who wins Mavericks vs. Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, and which side of the spread is a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Mavericks vs. Timberwolves spread to jump on, all from the expert who has returned more than $3,600 on his NBA picks, and find out.
