The Mavericks are back in action after the All-Star break. They are in Minnesota, where they will play the Timberwolves without Cooper Flagg. The Wolves have dominated Dallas this season, winning each of their first two matchups by 24 and 13 points, respectively. Dallas is in active tank mode, and Minnesota is just a game out of third place in the West. It is clear not only what the books are pricing, but what both fanbases are expecting out of this matchup. The Mavericks will need a miracle to keep this one close.
Before getting into our picks, here is how we stand this season:
It is time to finish the season strong.
Fixture: Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves | NBA 2025-2026
Date and Time: Friday, February 20th, 2026; 6:40 PM CST
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN.
Spread Mavericks +14.5 (-112)
Total O/U 239.5 (-110/-110)
The Wolves will give Anthony Edwards a full 12 minutes, and with a decimated Mavs group, a hammer will be laid. Building off of that, the Maverick offense will struggle without Flagg. Give me an under. Lastly, Gobert and Reid are two Mav killers, going back years at this point. Without a presence inside, expect both to have monster evenings.
The Timberwolves are going to blow Dallas out. No Cooper Flagg, no Max Christie, and no reason to win. Washington should be healthier, which means he will take on a more normal scoring load. Edwards will likely conserve energy in an easy win, and DiVincenzo is an under-the-radar guy who kills the Mavericks.