Tim's Game Preview: Game 65, Dallas Mavericks

Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks visit Minnesota tonight.

Minnesota Timberwolves (15-49) vs. Dallas Mavericks (45-17) at Target Center

The Dallas Mavericks have won 18 out of their last 20 games and only lost their previous game on Sunday night due to a 17-foot Zach Randolph jumper with 0.3 seconds left. Charles Barkley has long said that the Mavericks, not the league-leading Spurs, are the best team in Texas and they will get a chance to prove it Monday night against the T'Wolves.

The T-Pups, meanwhile, have had two heartbreaking losses in a row to the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards. Although Kevin Love once again had a 20-20 game, his third straight and his 11th this season, the Wolves have been struggling with Darko Milicic, Wesley Johnson and Martell Webster injured.

Let's break down tonight's matchups:

Another entry into the Mark Cuban Overpaid Big Man Hall of Fame

Darko Milicic vs. Brendan Haywood

Earlier this summer, after David Kahn signed Darko Milicic and it seemed like everyone in the sports media was looking up old Star Trek clips on YouTube, Mark Cuban signed Brendan Haywood to a much larger deal and not much was said about it. So, with the season nearing its end, which player has been the better deal?

Haywood is getting paid $6.9 million this season. Darko is getting 4.3 million. Haywood has played one more game this season (57-56), but only started 5 of those games, while Darko has started in every game he has played.

Haywood is outperfoming Darko is only two areas: shooting percentage (.571 to .464) and turnovers (0.6 to 2.3 per game). In every other area, Darko is ahead, including points per game (9.1 to 4.4), rebounds per game (5.4 to 4.8) and blocks per game (2.2 to 1.0).

I think its clear who got the better deal on this one. Better production at nearly 2/3rds of the salary.

Winner: Darko Milicic

Charlie Sheen jokes? Way to keep it fresh, Nowitzki. (Yeah, yeah, it was pretty funny). 

Kevin Love vs. Dirk Nowitzki

Everyone is talking about Kevin Love's statistical achievements. He's one double-double shy of tying Moses Malone's post-NBA/ABA merger record of 51-straight in 1978-79. He's had 11 20-20 games this year, while the rest of the league has 16 of those games combined.

But as Michael Beasley recently said, "it's kind of normal now. I'm like, whatever. Tell me (he has) 40-40 and I'll get excited). So, let's talk about something else. Like how about the fact that Love has had 3 assists in 3 straight games. When will Love start his triple-double streak? Or 4 blocks in the last 3 games. When we Love get his first quadruple double?

Pretty boy Nowitzki should ditch the wig and get in the gym if he wants to avoid being embarrassed tonight. He might be a witness to Love's first-straight quintuple-double.

Winner: Kevin Love

Is Michael Beasley a piece for the future or just another disposable player?

Michael Beasley vs. Shawn Marion

In conversations about Michael Beasley this season, remarks have ranged from "he's the best offensive player the Wolves have had since Latrell Sprewell" and calling him "Carmelo-Lite" to calling him overrated and saying that at the age of 21, a ceiling has already been built over Beasley's career that is a lot lower than superstardom.

Doubters point to turnovers, poor shot selection and poor defense. Those who are more optimistic point to his passion, the big shots that he has hit and the games where he's put up big offensive numbers.

Tonight, Beasley will face the tough defender Shawn Marion. The Wolves need to go to Beasley often and early to get his momentum and his confidence going.

Winner: Michael Beasley

Hopefully, Wesley Johnson will be back tonight fully healthy.

Wesley Johnson vs. Rodrigue Beaubois

Mavs young phenom Roddy Buckets is finally back from a broken foot that has kept him out for the bulk of the season and the team has immediately started giving him minutes at the 2-guard spot. Jason Terry is still thriving in his sixth man role and familiar face Corey Brewer has also been brought in to provide defense and energy on offense.

Wesley Johnson is going to show tonight that he's better than all of them and Roddy Buckets is going to have to change his name to Roddy Bricks.

Winner: Wesley Johnson

I wonder if the Mavs ever wish they had a real point guard, like Luke Ridnour.

Luke Ridnour vs. Jason Kidd

There are few things worse than having a great team without a great point guard. Just think how good the Mavs would be if they had someone like Chris Paul, Devin Harris or Jonny Flynn starting for them at point. Even a guy like Luke Ridnour could turn the Mavs from a decent first-round playoff team to a title contender.

Instead, the Mavericks start Jason Kidd - who is most famous for blowing the NBA Finals for the New Jersey Nets - and J.J. Barea. You're not going to win many titles with those two guys running plays for your team.

Winner: Luke Ridnour

The return of Corey Brewer to the Target Center.

My Prediction: Timberwolves 96 - Dallas Mavericks 92

TImberwolves' Record: 16-49