Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for December 19 (Minny Further Exposes Dallas' Road Issues)

Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Game Info

• Date: Monday, December 19, 2022
• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Venue: Target Center -- Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Coverage: BSSW and BSN

Nine matchups are on the NBA's Monday, Dec. 19 schedule, including a meeting at the Target Center between the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-15) and Dallas Mavericks (15-15).

The Timberwolves are feeling good after blowing out the Chicago Bulls, 150-126, on Sunday, led by game-high 37 points from Anthony Edwards. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are going through the opposite emotions after a 100-99 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers two nights ago.

Does Minnesota have what it takes to extend its winning streak to three games? Or will Dallas figure out a way to spoil that goal?

Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Odds & Spread

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: DAL: (-176) | MIN: (+148)
• Spread: DAL: -4.5 (-106) | MIN: +4.5 (-114)
• Total: 228.5 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Mavericks enter this contest as clear road favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 8 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 228.5 points, which is on the higher side for Monday's projected totals.

Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Betting Trends

• The Mavericks compiled a 46-35-1 record against the spread last season.
• As 4-point underdogs or greater, the Timberwolves went 9-8 against the spread last season.
• Last season, 31 Mavericks games went over the point total.
• The Timberwolves had 49 of their 82 games hit the over last year.

Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Prediction & Pick

It's hard to like the Mavericks knowing that Luka Doncic is at less than 100%. The Serbian superstar is questionable for tonight's matchup due to a quad injury and it'd be terrible news if he was unable to suit up considering how Dallas has lost the three games that he's already missed this year.

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves looked great in their blowout win over the Bulls, shooting 65.5% from the field and 53.5% from three-point range. That's terrible news for a Dallas squad that's had suspect defense on the road, allowing opponents to average 50.6% field-goal (third-worst) and 39.5% three-point (fourth-worst) percentages.

With the Mavericks also losing each of their last three trips to Target Center by an average of 14 points, I'm even more inclined to back the Timberwolves.

Final Score Prediction: Timberwolves: 116 | Mavericks: 109

Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Best Bet

There's definitely value to be had here by going with a Timberwolves upset. The Mavericks are just 3-10 straight up in road games this season while also posting a minus-4.3 scoring margin in those contests.

I expect the likes of Edwards, Rudy Gobert and D'Angelo Russell to give Minnesota a big advantage here en route to an upset victory.

Bet: Minnesota Timberwolves ML (+148)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.