May 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game one of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
- The Dallas Mavericks can take a 3-0 stranglehold on the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight in the Western Conference Final
- The Mavericks are 4-2 at home in the playoffs while the T-Wolves are 4-1 on the road
- Below, see the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks odds, predictions, and player props for Game 3
The 2024 Western Conference Final between the Minnesota Timberwolves (64-31, 30-16 away, 48-45-2 ATS) and Dallas Mavericks (60-36, 29-18 home, 56-40 ATS) has the potential to turn into a runaway tonight when the best-of-seven series moves to Dallas for Game 3. The Mavericks pulled off a pair of road upsets in Minnesota in Games 1 and 2 and can now take a 3-0 stranglehold on the series with a win at American Airlines Center on Sunday night (7:40 pm CT/8:40 pm ET).
The Timberwolves vs Mavericks Game 3 odds favor Dallas making it three straight, but the margin is slim.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +2.5 (-112) | +120 | O 207.5 (-110) |
| Dallas Mavericks | -2.5 (-108) | -142 | U 207.5 (-110) |
Dallas is a slim 2.5-point home favorite in Game 3 and -142 on the moneyline. The Timberwolves come back at +120 to win straight-up while the game total is at 207.5.
The first two games of the series both went over their totals of 207. Game 1 saw 213 points scored (108-105) while Game 2 saw 217 (109-108).
Odds as of May 26. Claim a Fanatics Sportsbook promo to bet on Timberwolves vs Mavericks Game 3.
On the opposite side of the NBA playoff bracket, the Boston Celtics took a 3-0 lead on the shorthanded Indiana Pacers last night and are now -230 favorites in the NBA championship odds.
Dallas Defense Holding Antman in Check
The biggest difference between the teams in Games 1 and 2 was the performance of the star players. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 115 points in the first two games of the series on 46.7% shooting from the floor (42-for-90). Anthony Edwards, on the other hand, had just 40 total points on an ugly 33.3% clip from the field.
Minnesota is currently a -10 with Edwards on the court in the series.
Dallas has also owned a significant and unexpected edge on the glass (+12 through two games).
The T-Wolves were poised to even the series at one game apiece, holding a 108-106 lead with the shot clock off in Game 2. But a go-ahead three from Doncic with under five seconds to play stood-up as the game-winner.
Luka Doncic scored the game-winning three-pointer over Rudy Gobert 😱
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) May 25, 2024
The T-Wolves have been nearly perfect on the road in the postseason, though. After sweeping Phoenix is four games in round one, Minnesota took a stunning 2-0 lead on the defending-champion Nuggets in round two by winning a pair of games in Denver. (The Nuggets didn’t lose a home game en route to the Western Conference championship last year.)
The Mavericks are currently 4-2 at home in the playoffs, going 2-1 against both the LA Clippers in round one and OKC Thunder in round two. They had identical 25-16 home and away records during the regular season.
MIN vs DAL Game 3 Player Props
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Edwards (MIN) | 25.5 (Ov -135 | Un +114) | 5.5 (Ov -125 | Un +105) | 6.5 (Ov +130 | Un -155) | 2.5 (Ov -130 | Un +110) |
| Daniel Gafford (DAL) | 8.5 (Ov -112 | Un -108) | 5.5 (Ov -118 | Un -102) | OFF | OFF |
| Dereck Lively II (DAL) | 8.5 (Ov -100 | Un -120) | 7.5 (Ov -105 | Un -115) | OFF | OFF |
| Derrick Jones Jr (DAL) | 8.5 (Ov -115 | Un -105) | 3.5 (Ov -108 | Un -112) | OFF | 0.5 (Ov -218 | Un +180) |
| Jaden McDaniels (MIN) | 9.5 (Ov -120 | Un -100) | 4.5 (Ov +124 | Un -148) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov +180 | Un -218) |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) | 19.5 (Ov -118 | Un -102) | 7.5 (Ov -125 | Un +105) | 2.5 (Ov -120 | Un +124) | 1.5 (Ov -185 | Un +154) |
| Kyrie Irving (DAL) | 22.5 (Ov -105 | Un -115) | 3.5 (Ov -155 | Un +130) | 4.5 (Ov -142 | Un +120) | 2.5 (Ov +120 | Un -142) |
| Luka Doncic (DAL) | 30.5 (Ov -108 | Un -112) | 8.5 (Ov -108 | Un -112) | 9.5 (Ov +114 | Un -135) | 3.5 (Ov +110 | Un -130) |
| Mike Conley (MIN) | 12.5 (Ov -100 | Un -120) | 3.5 (Ov +124 | Un -148) | 5.5 (Ov -102 | Un -118) | 2.5 (Ov -135 | Un +114) |
| Naz Reid (MIN) | 11.5 (Ov -110 | Un -110) | 4.5 (Ov -110 | Un -110) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov +180 | Un -218) |
| PJ Washington (DAL) | 11.5 (Ov -125 | Un +105) | 5.5 (Ov -118| Un -102) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov -198 | Un +164) |
| Rudy Gobert (MIN) | 12.5 (Ov +102 | Un -122) | 11.5 (Ov +114 | Un -135) | OFF | OFF |
DAL vs MIN NBA player props from DraftKings on May 26.
The player props for Game 3 show Doncic with a game-high total of 30.5, which is up two full points from this totals for Game 1 and 2 (both of which he went over). Edwards’ total has dropped to just 25.5.
Rudy Gobert has the highest rebound total on the board at 11.5 but the under is favored (+114o/-135u).
The injury reports for Game 3 remain nearly identical to Game 2. On the Dallas side, Doncic is once again questionable with a right-knee sprain, but he’s also now suffering from left-ankle soreness as well.
For the T-Wolves, starting point guard Mike Conley is again questionable with a lingering Achilles issue. The veteran was rock solid in Game 2, finishing with 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists in 33 minutes, shooting 50% from the field.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks Game 3 Prediction
Despite a couple disappointing performances at home, I remain a firm believer in the Timberwolves as a group. Their defense was less than its best in the first two games of the series and their go-to scorer was dreadfully inefficient. But they’ve shown an excellent ability to respond to setbacks all season: Minnesota only lost back-to-back games four times this year and has yet to suffer a three-game losing streak.
I expect a big performance in what is effectively a do-or-die spot for Minnesota. (No NBA team has ever come back from 3-0 down.)
MIN vs DEN Game 3 picks:
- Timberwolves moneyline (+120)
- Edwards over 25.5 points (-135)
Sascha was a hockey player in his youth, a lawyer in his capricious mid-20s, and has been with SBD since 2014. He specializes in football, basketball, politics, baseball, and hockey.
The Minnesota Timberwolves will face off against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of their playoff series on May 26. Both teams have shown strong performances throughout the season, making this matchup an exciting one to watch.
As of now, the odds for Game 3 are in favor of the Mavericks, with many sportsbooks giving them a slight edge over the Timberwolves. However, anything can happen in the playoffs, and the Timberwolves have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with.
In terms of predictions, it is expected to be a close game with both teams giving it their all. The Timberwolves will be looking to bounce back from their previous loss and even up the series, while the Mavericks will be aiming to extend their lead and take control of the matchup.
Player props for this game will likely focus on key players such as Karl-Anthony Towns for the Timberwolves and Luka Doncic for the Mavericks. Both players have been instrumental in their team’s success so far and will be looking to make a big impact in Game 3.
Injury reports will also play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the game. Both teams will need all hands on deck to secure a victory, so any key injuries could potentially shift the momentum in favor of one team over the other.
Overall, Game 3 between the Timberwolves and Mavericks is shaping up to be a thrilling matchup with plenty of excitement and drama. Fans can expect a hard-fought battle between two talented teams vying for a spot in the next round of the playoffs. Be sure to tune in on May 26 to see how it all unfolds.