Can the Timberwolves Tame the Mavericks at Target Center?

As the Minnesota Timberwolves prepare to host the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center, fans are eager to see if their team can continue its dominant home court performance. The Timberwolves have been a force to reckon with, especially when playing in front of their home crowd. With a record of 26 wins and 11 losses, they've shown that they're not just contenders but serious threats for any visiting team.

In their last encounter against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 27th, despite putting up an impressive 106 points and maintaining a lead for nearly a minute, it wasn't enough to secure victory. The Thunder outpaced them with 129 points, showcasing that even high-scoring efforts from MIN can be overshadowed by defensive lapses. This game highlighted some areas of concern: turnovers were high at 24 and while they shot well from beyond the arc (44 percent), it was clear that defense was an issue as they allowed a staggering 129 points against them.

However, looking back at another recent game on December 22nd against the Los Angeles Lakers gives us reasons for optimism. The Timberwolves came out on top with a score of 118-111 in Minneapolis. Their ability to convert second chance opportunities into points was notable—they scored an impressive 17 second chance points off nine offensive rebounds. Moreover, their defensive effort was more solid than in subsequent games; they managed seven blocks and kept their opponents' scoring under control.

The upcoming match-up presents an opportunity for redemption after MIN's recent slip-up against OKC. It's crucial that they tighten up defensively while maintaining their offensive prowess which has seen them averaging over one hundred points per game this season.

The Dallas Mavericks will certainly pose challenges; however, given MIN's strong home record and ability to bounce back after tough losses—evidenced by their win following previous defeats—it seems likely that fans will witness another spirited performance from the Timberwolves.

Supporters should mark their calendars for December 28th at Target Center where tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM local time (Central Time). For those unable to attend in person, you can catch all the action live on BSNX channel number is 668-1 or BSSW channel number is676 depending on your location.