The 2024 Western Conference Finals get underway on Wednesday as the No. 5 seed Dallas Mavericks travel to play the No. 3 seed Minnesota Timberwolves. These teams squared off four times during the regular season, with the Timberwolves owning a 3-1 edge. Minnesota has gone 3-2 at home in the postseason, while Dallas is 4-2 on the road in the 2024 NBA playoffs. Mike Conley (calf) is questionable for Minnesota.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET at the 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 his NBA picks this 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 -191, Dallas +159
- 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
Forward Karl-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
Forward PJ Washington has a versatile offensive game as he owns a smooth perimeter jumper but isn't afraid to put the ball on the deck to attack the lane. In the 2024 NBA playoffs, the 25-year-old is logging 14.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. He's scored in double figures in five of his last six games. On May 13, he had 21 points and 12 boards.
Forward Derrick Jones Jr. is an exceptional athlete and off-ball playmaker. Jones Jr. soars above the rim with ease while being able to be an asset as a catch-and-shoot threat. The UNLV product is averaging 10.8 points and 3.8 assists in the postseason. In the closeout win over the Thunder, Jones Jr. tallied 22 points and four boards, which was his third straight game with at least 17 points. 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.
