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Mavericks at Timberwolves Game Thread

The Wolves host the Mavericks tonight at Target Center and get their first look at Rajon Rondo in a Mavs uniform.

By Eric in Madison
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Mavs at Wolves
7:00 pm CST
FS North

The Mavs come in at 29-13 overall, which is tied for fourth in the Western Conference. Since trading for Rajon Rondo, they are 9-5 and coming off a big win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday afternoon. While overall they remain one of the top offensive squads in the league (3rd in Ortg), since acquiring Rondo their offense has not been as strong, but not surprisingly their defense has been significantly better.

The Mavericks offense generates a fairly large number of three point attempts, and they are pretty good at making them (36%), but where they really shine is creating quality looks inside the arc. They are 2nd in the league in 2P%, and do it in a number of ways. Monta Ellis driving to the basket has been very good this year, and Dirk Nowitzki remains one of the better two point shooters in the league. Tyson Chandler benefits off the pick and roll and by going to the basket on double teams, where he often finds himself wide open.

To the extent that the have weaknesses, they remain a poor defensive rebounding squad, and this is something the Wolves must take advantage of tonight if they want to stay in the game. In the first meeting between these teams in Dallas, the Wolves were routed despite putting up 117 points. It was a lay-up line that night for the Mavs, who scored 131 on 55% from the field even without a big night from beyond the arc.

Hopefully the Wolves can put up a little more resistance tonight, though given their constant defensive struggles it's going to be tough.

Meanwhile, both Kevin Martin and Nikola Pekovic are apparently on the verge of returning to the lineup. There is some thought that they might play tonight, though there is no definitive word as of this writing. We'll keep you updated.

UPDATE: Sounds like Pek will go tonight and is expected to come off the bench for 15-20 minutes, but Martin will not play.

Expected lineups

Mavs

Rajon Rondo
Monta Ellis
Chandler Parsons
Dirk Nowitzki
Tyson Chandler

Wolves

Mo Williams
Andrew Wiggins
Robbie Hummel
Thaddeus Young
Gorgui Dieng

Here's a link to Mavs Moneyball; be excellent.

No pics, gifs, links to illegal streams.

Enjoy the game. Chat here. Go Wolves.