Timberwolves stay hot, knock off Mavericks

Field Level Media|published: Thu 14th December, 23:14 2023

$Dec 14, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) \looks to move the ball past Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center.$ Dec 14, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) \looks to move the ball past Dallas Mavericks forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. credits: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Naz Reid sank a career-high seven 3-pointers to highlight his season-best 27-point performance on Thursday, lifting the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves to a 119-101 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Reid made 8 of 14 shots from the floor for the Timberwolves, who overcame Luka Doncic's 39-point, 13-assist performance and post their seventh win in their last eight games.

Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 21 points and 17 rebounds, Mike Conley added 14 points and Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 13. Anthony Edwards made just 3 of 19 shots from the floor to finish with nine points — albeit with 11 assists — in his return from a one-game absence due to a right hip pointer.

The Timberwolves outscored Dallas by a 60-41 margin the second half. They shot 50.0 percent from the floor and 45.2 percent from 3-point range (14 of 31) for the game. They also held a 45-34 edge in rebounds.

Dereck Lively II scored 15 points and Dante Exum added 14 for the Mavericks, who saw their four-game winning streak come to a halt. Dallas' Kyrie Irving sat out his third straight game due to a right heel contusion.

Reid sank a pair of 3-pointers as the Timberwolves scored 17 of the first 26 points in the fourth quarter to increase their lead to 104-91. Conley and Towns each connected from beyond the arc as Minnesota stepped on the gas while Dallas quickly faded.

The Mavericks shot 47 percent from the field and were a shaky 7 of 32 (21.9 percent) from 3-point range.

Doncic wasted little time making an impact on Thursday. He converted a three-point play, sank a short jumper and drilled a 3-pointer before draining another while adding a free throw to stake Dallas to an early 17-2 lead. He finished by the first quarter by making 6 of 10 shots to help the Mavericks record a 30-26 advantage.

Minnesota rallied and pulled ahead at 57-54 after Reid sank a 3-pointer with 1:34 remaining in the second quarter. Doncic, however, made two free throws and two layups as part of a 6-2 run to give Dallas the lead at halftime.

—Field Level Media

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