The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t just beat the Dallas Mavericks — they dismantled them. On November 17, 2025, Target Center in Minneapolis, the Timberwolves rolled to a 120-96 victory, turning what was expected to be a high-scoring affair into a defensive clinic. Naz Reid, the Timberwolves’ energetic center, led the charge with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and three three-pointers — a rare blend of post dominance and perimeter threat. Behind him, Rudy Gobert added 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, anchoring a defense that held the Mavericks to just 21 points in the first quarter and never let them find rhythm.
From Tip-Off to Blowout: A Quarter-by-Quarter Domination
The Timberwolves didn’t wait for the game to unfold — they dictated it from the opening whistle. A 34-point first quarter, fueled by relentless ball movement and Gobert’s rim protection, set the tone. Dallas, meanwhile, looked lost. Their half-court offense — already ranked the worst in the NBA — froze under Minnesota’s disciplined defense. By halftime, the lead was 61-44. The third quarter? A massacre. The Timberwolves dropped 37 points while holding Dallas to just 22, turning the game into a virtual exhibition. Even when the Mavericks pushed back in the fourth with 30 points, it was too little, too late. Final score: 120-96.
Why the Mavericks Couldn’t Find Answers
Jaden Hardy, Dallas’s young guard, tried to carry the load with 17 points and four three-pointers, but he was often left isolated against a rotating defense that refused to bite on screens. The Mavericks’ struggles weren’t just about shooting — they were about structure. As Action Network noted before the game, Dallas had the league’s worst half-court offense, ranking 24th in pull-up jumpers. Against a Timberwolves team that willingly let players drive but shut down catch-and-shoot opportunities, that was a death sentence. Dallas shot just 39% from the field and turned the ball over 16 times. Their 6.3 blocks per game — second-best in the league — meant nothing when they couldn’t get stops in transition or contain Reid’s crafty post moves.
Betting Lines and the Unexpected Under
Before tip-off, the line was a massive Minnesota Timberwolves -14.5, with an over/under of 230.5. Most analysts assumed a shootout: Minnesota averages 120.7 points per game, Dallas gives up 117.0. But what no one predicted was how tightly Minnesota would clamp down. The final combined score? 216 points — 14.5 points under the total. That made the over a losing bet, even though the Timberwolves covered the spread by winning by 24. And here’s the twist: Dallas covered the spread too. At +14.5, they lost by 24, which means they lost by more than the line — so they didn’t cover. Wait — correction: they were +14.5, and lost by 24. That means they lost by 9.5 points more than the spread. So they did not cover. The line was -14.5 for Minnesota, so a 24-point win means they covered by 9.5 points. Dallas, at +14.5, lost by 24, so they were 9.5 points short of covering. The over/under was 230.5; actual total was 216. So under won. Fox Sports’ prediction of the over was wrong. Action Network’s model, which had the total at 232.5, was also off. The game was a classic case of defense overriding offense.
What This Means for Both Teams’ Seasons
For Minnesota, the win improved their record to 9-5 — a strong start that signals they’re not just a playoff team, but a legitimate Western Conference contender. Their defense, ranked second in blocks and top-10 in opponent field goal percentage, is clicking. Naz Reid’s emergence as a three-point threat adds a new dimension to their offense. Meanwhile, Dallas’s record fell to 4-11, and their offensive woes are now impossible to ignore. They’re 27th in scoring (111.3 ppg), 24th in assists, and their bench has zero consistent playmakers. Coach Jason Kidd’s attempts to fix the half-court offense with isolation plays have failed. The Mavericks aren’t just losing — they’re losing in ways that suggest systemic dysfunction.
Behind the Numbers: The Real Story
Beyond the box score, the stats tell a deeper story. The Timberwolves have now won 4 of their last 5 games, and in those games, they’ve held opponents to an average of 102.8 points. That’s not luck — that’s coaching. Chris Finch has instilled a culture of defensive accountability. Meanwhile, Dallas’s road record is 1-7, and they’ve lost their last 5 games as underdogs — a trend that’s become almost comical. Even their defensive strength — those 6.3 blocks — can’t mask the fact that they’re giving up 117 points per game on 48% shooting. They’re not bad defensively — they’re just bad at everything else.
What’s Next?
The Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, coming off a rare back-to-back. With Gobert and Reid forming one of the league’s most underrated frontcourts, they’ll look to extend their winning streak. Dallas, meanwhile, heads to Phoenix — a place where their offensive struggles will be exposed even more. If they don’t fix their spacing and ball movement by next week, their season could spiral into irrelevance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Naz Reid’s performance impact the game beyond the stats?
Reid’s 22 points and 12 rebounds were crucial, but his three three-pointers changed how Dallas defended him. Normally a post-up threat, Reid’s ability to step out and knock down shots forced Mavericks bigs to guard him beyond the arc — opening driving lanes for Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley. That spacing was the key to Minnesota’s 37-point third quarter.
Why did the over/under miss by so much?
Most models assumed Minnesota’s offense would dominate and Dallas would keep pace, but Dallas’s half-court offense collapsed under pressure. The Timberwolves slowed the tempo, forced contested shots, and turned 16 turnovers into fast-break points. The game’s pace was 98 possessions — well below the league average — which crushed the projected 230.5 total.
Did Dallas cover the spread?
No. Dallas was a +14.5 underdog and lost by 24 points. To cover, they needed to lose by 14 or fewer. They fell short by 9.5 points. The Timberwolves covered easily, and the under hit hard — a rare double win for bettors who played the defensive matchup.
What does this say about Rudy Gobert’s role this season?
Gobert is no longer just a rim protector — he’s a playmaker. His 4 assists came from elite passing out of double teams, something he’s improved dramatically since last season. He’s now averaging 3.1 assists per game, up from 1.8 last year. That makes Minnesota’s pick-and-roll game nearly unstoppable when he’s on the floor.
How does this loss affect Dallas’s playoff chances?
Slim to none. At 4-11, they’re 8.5 games out of 8th place in the West. Even if they go 10-10 the rest of the way, they’d need multiple teams ahead of them to collapse. Their offense is too stagnant, their bench too thin, and their defense too inconsistent. Unless Luka Dončić plays 40 minutes every night — and he’s already nursing a nagging ankle — this team won’t make noise.
Is this a sign the Timberwolves are title contenders?
Not yet — but they’re building something real. With a top-5 defense, improved spacing thanks to Reid and Anthony Edwards, and strong bench depth, they’re now one of the few teams that can beat anyone on any night. If they stay healthy and keep their turnover rate low, they’re a dark horse in the West. The real test? Winning on the road against elite teams like Denver and Phoenix.
