Hoping to build momentum after capturing a 113-108 win over Phoenix during Thursday’s matchup in Mexico City, the Dallas Mavericks returned to their home floor Sunday seeking retribution against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Looking to avenge a 101-92 loss in Minnesota last Monday, the Mavericks tried to return the favor on their home floor. The Mavs also tried to end the Timberwolves’ three-game winning streak before venturing out once again on the road for a two-game trip with stops in Chicago and Miami. And behind one of their best total-team efforts of the season, the Mavericks (13-27) made it back-to-back wins with a 98-87 victory.
“That was a big win for us, obviously. We had just lost to that team last week, and they’ve got some explosive guys,” 13-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki said. “I thought we did a good job on them, and the bench came in and really changed the game for us … I thought it was a big team win for us.”
Playing a second straight game without the services of center Andrew Bogut (right-hamstring strain), the Mavericks continued to feature Nowitzki at the starting five spot and 26-year-old sharpshooter Seth Curry in the backcourt. The Mavs also tried to slow down Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns after seeing the reigning Rookie of the Year tally 34 points and 11 rebounds in the first meeting between the teams. However, the Mavericks would struggle to find the bottom of the net in the early minutes of the opening quarter, falling into a quick hole in the process.
Swingman Wesley Matthews then tried to ignite his team, finding an early rhythm from the outside. Mavs leading scorer Harrison Barnes lent some assistance, taking charge of the scoring duties. And with the duo combining to score 13 points in the first period, the Mavericks took a 27-25 edge into the second stanza.
Starting the second period with a 3-point play by sixth man Devin Harris, the Mavericks continued to keep their foot on the gas. Nowitzki also made amends for a 1-of-5 first quarter, swishing a three to put the Mavs up 33-25 early in the second.
The lead surged to double figures from there as Nowitzki continued to carry the load, drilling another triple from the top of the key to put the Mavericks up 44-29 with 7:27 left in the half. Barnes returned to the scoring a short time later, moving into double figures for the 40th straight time to start the season. Still, the Timberwolves (14-27) closed the half strong behind the play of former No 1 overall-pick Andrew Wiggins, charging to within six before Matthews’ late three sent the Mavs into the intermission with a 56-47 advantage.
Led by 23 combined points from Nowitzki and Barnes on 10-of-19 total shooting, the Mavericks outshot the Timberwolves through two quarters, 51.4 percent to 50 percent. The Mavs also overcame a 21-20 rebounding disadvantage by knocking down 7-of-12 from behind the 3-point arc and a 17-5 advantage in free-throw attempts.
“Starts are key for us, and we got a pretty good start scoring-wise in Phoenix as well,” Matthews said. “We were playing hard and talking on the offensive end, and we were moving on the defensive end. That’s how we have to play.”
Pushing the lead back to double digits early in the third quarter, the Mavericks tried to create more of a separation on scoreboard in the second half. Nowitzki also stayed on the attack, hitting his third trey of the night to put the Mavs up 64-50. But with Timberwolves big man Gorgui Dieng having his way inside, the visitors clawed their way back into the game to trim the margin to just 66-60 with 6:44 left in the third.
The Minnesota run continued to 16-2, bringing the Timberwolves to within two. Mavs point guard Deron Williams then settled his team down while switching from a facilitator to a scorer. And after an emphatic baseline slam by Matthews got the crowd out of its seats, the Mavericks escaped into the fourth with a 79-70 lead.
Opening the final quarter with a driving score by reserve guard JJ Barea, the Mavericks tried to close the young Wolves out with the play of their second unit. Barea continued to carry the offensive load from there, swishing a three of his own to put the Mavs up 86-74.
“This morning and warming up I was feeling better, finally. I’m not completely there yet, but I got into a little rhythm and the ball went in. I just kept being aggressive,” Barea later said after just his 14th game of the season.
Seth Curry later followed suit, drilling a triple as the Mavericks surged to a 91-76 advantage with 6:10 left to play. The lead peaked at 17 from there as the Mavs tried to close the door on the Wolves. And Matthews’ 3-pointer put the Mavericks up 98-83 with 2:24 remaining, the Dallas defense added the finishing touches on the win with stops down the stretch.
Scoring 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting and 4-of-8 from 3-point range, Matthews led the way to the win while grabbing a season-high seven rebounds. Nowitzki added 17 points and six rebounds inside while moving into ninth place on the NBA’s all-time minutes-played list ahead of Hall of Famer Reggie Miller (47,619), and Barea pitched in 15 points in a reserve role. Barnes scored 13 points for his 40th straight game to start the season in double figures, and Williams finished with a double-double of 13 points and 10 assists. Harris made it six Mavs in double figures with 10 points off the bench.
“That’s how we’ve got to play,” Matthews said after the second straight game with six scorers in double figures. “That brand of basketball is fun. Everybody had energy, and you can feel it in the crowd. You know, we haven’t felt that in a long time, and we were moving the ball well. And they were team shots, as opposed to one-person shots.”
Dieng led five Timberwolves in double figures with 21 points on 10-of-12 shooting, grabbing eight rebounds to boot. But the Mavericks outshot the Timberwolves for the game, 46.8 percent to 43.8 percent, overcoming a 44-41 rebounding disadvantage with 15 points off Minnesota’s 12 turnovers.
“We’re doing better, and the key for us to win is going to be balance on offense,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle concluded. “We need a lot of guys sharing the scoring responsibility and moving the ball, and it’s pretty clear we’re picking up the pace with Dirk and Barea back in there. You know, we’re showing signs of making some progress, and tonight two things were really important. We did a much better job on the boards, and I thought just our energy and determination were really terrific.”
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