The Minnesota Timberwolves delivered a statement performance on Monday, November 17, 2025, dismantling the Dallas Mavericks 120-96 at Target Center in Minneapolis. It wasn’t just a win—it was a symphony of depth, defense, and discipline. Six Timberwolves players scored in double figures, including all five starters, while star guard Anthony Edwards quietly logged just 13 points on 5-for-14 shooting. The real story? The supporting cast stepped up like never before. Forward Jaden McDaniels and center Rudy Gobert each poured in 15 points, turning the game into a collective effort. Meanwhile, the Mavericks, coming off a Sunday win over Portland, fell to 4-10 on the season—and 1-2 in back-to-backs.
A Third-Quarter Avalanche
By halftime, Minnesota had already built a 17-point cushion, 61-44. But the real demolition began in the third. McDaniels hit three straight three-pointers in under two minutes, igniting a 24-11 run that pushed the lead to 30 points by the 5:12 mark. The crowd roared. The Mavericks’ offense, already sluggish, completely evaporated. Minnesota finished 14-for-44 from deep (32%), but more importantly, they forced Dallas into 18 turnovers and held them to just 38% shooting overall. Leans.ai’s pre-game analysis nailed it: “This game pivots on rebound control, tempo enforcement, and which roster executes its identity for 48 minutes.” The Timberwolves did. The Mavericks didn’t.
Betting Chaos: Why No One Could Agree
The betting lines told a story of confusion. FOX Sports listed Minnesota as 14.5-point favorites with a 230.5-point total. Action Network had them at -14.5 with a 232.5 total. Leans.ai went even lower: -14.0 and 227.5. The moneyline odds were even wilder—Minnesota ranged from -900 to -1000, meaning you’d need to risk $900 to win $100. Yet the expert picks? Total chaos.
FOX Sports’ analyst predicted an Over 230.5 and a 123-109 Timberwolves win. Action Network’s Matt Moore, despite a 70-88-2 record over the last 30 days, recommended the Under 231.5, citing a 17-9 record on unders when Minnesota is a home favorite and opponents are on their third game in four nights. Leans.ai added: “Dallas’s sub-.500 ATS rate on the road suggests caution. Minnesota’s recent home ATS struggles raise red flags.”
Public betting was split: 57% of bets were on Minnesota to cover, but only 43% of the money followed. That’s the classic “smart money” signal. The line didn’t move much because the public was loud, but the sharps were quiet.
Why This Win Matters More Than the Score
Minnesota’s record improved to 8-5. They’re now 5-1 in their last six games. But this wasn’t about Edwards carrying the load—it was about the system clicking. Gobert anchored the paint, limiting Dallas’s interior scoring. McDaniels stretched the floor. D’Angelo Russell (12 points, 8 assists) orchestrated without forcing. Even backup forward Naz Reid added 11 off the bench. The Mavericks? Cooper Flagg and Brandon Williams each scored 15, but their bench was outscored 39-18. Their 24th-ranked pull-up jumpers couldn’t solve Minnesota’s drop coverage, as Action Network analyst N. Marshall noted: “They just kept bumping cutters, contesting drives without fouling, and making Dallas work for every inch.”
Historically, this matchup has been unpredictable. In January 2025, Minnesota won 115-114 as 3.5-point favorites. In December 2024, they won as 5.5-point underdogs. In October 2024, Dallas won as 4.5-point underdogs. This game? No fluke. The Timberwolves finally played like a team with playoff DNA.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Minnesota’s next game is Wednesday, November 19, against the Oklahoma City Thunder—a team they beat 118-112 in October. With their home record now 6-1, they’re quietly climbing the Western Conference standings. Their biggest concern? Maintaining this defensive intensity on the road.
Dallas, meanwhile, is in freefall. They’re 1-7 away from home this season. Their offense is stagnant, their bench is thin, and their young core—Flagg, Williams, and Dereck Lively II—still lack the poise to close out games against elite defenses. Their next matchup, against the Thunder on November 19, might be their last chance to salvage momentum before the All-Star break.
The Bigger Picture
This game exposed a truth: Minnesota isn’t just a team with Anthony Edwards anymore. They’ve become a unit. Gobert’s rim protection, McDaniels’ shooting, and Russell’s playmaking create a balanced attack that’s hard to scout. Meanwhile, Dallas’s reliance on isolation plays and inconsistent shooting is becoming a liability. With 11 of Minnesota’s 13 games this season going over 230.5 points, and only five of Dallas’s 14 doing the same, the trend was clear. The market didn’t know how to price it—and the Timberwolves made sure they didn’t have to guess.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Jaden McDaniels’ performance impact the game beyond his 15 points?
McDaniels didn’t just score—he stretched the floor, forcing Dallas’s big men to guard him beyond the arc. His three consecutive threes in the third quarter broke the game open, turning a 17-point lead into a 30-point blowout. His spacing allowed Rudy Gobert to operate more freely in the paint, and his defensive versatility helped contain Dallas’s wings. This was his most complete game of the season.
Why were betting lines so inconsistent across platforms?
The inconsistency stemmed from conflicting models: FOX Sports and Action Network used different weightings for team fatigue, home-court advantage, and defensive efficiency. Leans.ai factored in Dallas’s 24th-ranked pull-up shooting and Minnesota’s recent ATS struggles at home, leading to a lower spread. The lack of consensus reflects how hard it is to predict Minnesota’s ceiling—they’re either dominant or sloppy, with little in between.
What does this win mean for Minnesota’s playoff chances?
With an 8-5 record and the Western Conference wide open, Minnesota is now firmly in the top six. Their 6-1 home record and depth—six players scoring in double figures—is a playoff trait. If they maintain this defensive effort and limit turnovers, they could challenge the Denver Nuggets or Oklahoma City Thunder for seeding. The key? Avoiding injuries and sustaining this balance on the road.
Why did Dallas’s offense collapse after halftime?
Minnesota’s defense switched to a hybrid zone that clogged driving lanes and forced Dallas into contested mid-range jumpers. The Mavericks, ranked 24th in pull-up shooting, couldn’t create their own looks. Cooper Flagg, their top rookie, went 3-for-11 after halftime. Without a reliable second scoring option beside Williams, Dallas had no answer when the Timberwolves’ bench outplayed theirs 39-18.
How did Anthony Edwards’ quiet night affect the team’s dynamics?
Edwards’ 13-point night was his lowest since October, but it proved Minnesota’s depth. Instead of forcing shots, he moved the ball, drew double teams, and assisted on 7 baskets. His unselfishness unlocked McDaniels and Gobert. It’s a sign of growth: he’s no longer the sole engine. The team can win even when he’s off—something they couldn’t say last season.
What’s the historical significance of this win for the Timberwolves franchise?
This was Minnesota’s largest win over Dallas since 2018, and the first time since 2019 they’ve had six players score in double figures in a single game. It’s also their best home performance since their 2023 playoff run. The fact that they achieved this without Edwards dominating suggests a cultural shift—this team no longer relies on one superstar. That’s a milestone for a franchise that’s spent two decades waiting for its first true contender.