Timberwolves vs Mavericks Prediction and Betting Odds

Cooper Flagg just dropped a season-high 43 points and 10 rebounds on Indiana, yet the Mavericks run into the one side that has had their measure lately, because Minnesota won all four meetings last season and six on the trot overall.

The Wolves have also gone 5-2 without Anthony Edwards, so something has to give at Target Center.

Before we get to our full preview, here are the key details:

• Competition: NBA Regular Season
• Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis
• Date: Friday, 13 November 2026
• Start Time: 12pm AEDT

The Wolves Keep Winning Without Edwards and Keep Beating Dallas

Minnesota sit at 8-3 and have won four straight, beating Milwaukee, Houston, New Orleans in the NBA Cup, and then Utah 115-100, where Ayo Dosunmu scored 26, LaMelo Ball added 24, and the Wolves won the boards 45-37. They're 4-1 at home this season.

Dallas are 7-4 after sweeping a three-game homestand against Utah, Brooklyn and Indiana, and they came from 10 down at half-time to beat the Pacers 125-122 as Flagg and Kyrie Irving (35 points, seven threes) scored 26 of the side's 35 fourth-quarter points.

Away from home they're only 2-2, though, and the head to head is all one way, with Minnesota winning the four games last season by an average of almost 20 points.

Dosunmu Carries the Wolves While Dallas Wait on Irving's Knee

Edwards is out after knee surgery on 29 October, with a December return the target, and Donte DiVincenzo is still recovering from Achilles surgery.

Dosunmu has stepped up in his absence, leading Minnesota in scoring in four of their last five games, while Rudy Gobert pulled down 15 rebounds against the Jazz.

Dallas are still without Dereck Lively II, who hasn't played this season after foot surgery, and Sergio de Larrea (knee) and Tarik Biberovic (heel) are also sidelined, while Morez Johnson Jr. (shin) missed the Pacers game. 

Irving's knee is being managed carefully, so his status is the one to watch on game day.

Timberwolves vs Mavericks Betting Markets

The battle in the paint shapes most of the markets here. Dallas have been doing plenty of damage in the paint lately, Minnesota have been giving up a fair bit in there, and that mismatch is a big reason the Mavericks have been scoring freely.

With that mismatch driving the line and total, it is worth understanding how basketball handicap betting works before you weigh up the margin.

Gobert's rebounds line is the obvious counter, because Minnesota average 48.8 boards a game against 44.5 for Dallas.

Flagg is averaging 25.9 points a game and has taken on a bigger playmaking role, so his points and assists markets will draw plenty of interest, and with Irving's minutes still uncertain, the Timberwolves vs Mavericks odds on the line and the total could shift once the final injury report is out.

Timberwolves vs Mavericks Prediction: Our Pick

We're backing the Timberwolves to win. Minnesota have beaten Dallas six straight times, and all four of last season's wins came by double digits, the closest an 11 point result in Minneapolis in February.

They're 4-1 at home this season, they've won four on the bounce without Edwards, and their size on the glass should limit the second-chance points Dallas feasted on against Indiana.

The risk is obvious. Flagg and Irving are both scoring at their best right now, and if they combine for another 78 points, the Wolves won't have the firepower to keep up without Edwards. We still trust the home side's depth and rebounding over 48 minutes.

Tip: Timberwolves to win