Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 23 points and Luka Doncic had 20 as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 139-123 Monday night.
The Mavericks never trailed and were able to rest most of their starters in the fourth quarter after scoring 81 points before halftime, their biggest half of the season. Hardaway, Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis did not play in the final period.
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Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 23 points and Luka Doncic had 20 as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 139-123 Monday night.
Dallas shot 56% in the first half and went 12 of 23 from 3-point range en route to an 81-65 halftime lead.
D’Angelo Russell led Minnesota with 29 points and Malik Beasley had 21. The Timberwolves have lost nine straight on the road.
Barea gave the team an immediate lift upon entering late in the first quarter, making a driving reverse layup followed by a 3 to give Dallas its first double-digit lead at 37-27.
Timberwolves: Of the 11 Minnesota players who took the court in the teams’ last meeting on Dec. 4, only two – Josh Okogie and Jarrett Culver – dressed for the Wolves on Monday night. Towns is injured and the other eight are no longer with the team. “We have in a sense nine new players in the last little bit here,” coach Ryan Saunders said. “We’re trying to speed up the process with these guys, learn each other.” … Jake Layman played his first game since Nov. 18, having missed the last 40 with a left toe sprain.
Timberwolves: At Miami on Wednesday.
The reeling Timberwolves, playing without star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, lost their fifth in a row and 18th in 19 games.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after a foul call in the first half during an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Dallas. (AP PhotoRichard Rodriguez)
Dallas shot 56% in the first half and went 12 of 23 from 3-point range en route to an 81-65 halftime lead.
The Wolves got no closer than nine in the second half, and while the Mavs hit only one 3 in the third quarter, they still led by 14 entering the fourth.
Dallas then opened the final quarter on an 11-3 run, with Seth Curry hitting two 3s and J.J. Barea another to help put the game away. Curry finished with 19 points as seven Mavs scored in double figures.
Dallas Mavericks' Tim Hardaway Jr., left, guards against Minnesota Timberwolves guard D'Angelo Russell (0) in the first half during an NBA basketball game on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Dallas. (AP PhotoRichard Rodriguez)
D’Angelo Russell led Minnesota with 29 points and Malik Beasley had 21. The Timberwolves have lost nine straight on the road.
Towns missed his third straight game with a broken left wrist.
Barea played in his 627th game for the Mavericks, passing Michael Finley for fifth all-time behind Dirk Nowitzki, Brad Davis, Derek Harper and Rolando Blackman.
Dallas Mavericks guard Delon Wright (55) tries to defend against a shot by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Juan Hernangomez, right, in the first half during an NBA basketball game on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Dallas. (AP PhotoRichard Rodriguez)
Barea gave the team an immediate lift upon entering late in the first quarter, making a driving reverse layup followed by a 3 to give Dallas its first double-digit lead at 37-27.
The Mavericks extended it to 20 in the second quarter and only Beasley’s 14 points plus 11 from Russell kept Minnesota in the game.
TIP-INS
Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) looks on as Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) tries to drive past Minnesota Timberwolves forward James Johnson (16) in the first half during an NBA basketball game on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Dallas. (AP PhotoRichard Rodriguez)
Timberwolves: Of the 11 Minnesota players who took the court in the teams’ last meeting on Dec. 4, only two – Josh Okogie and Jarrett Culver – dressed for the Wolves on Monday night. Towns is injured and the other eight are no longer with the team. “We have in a sense nine new players in the last little bit here,” coach Ryan Saunders said. “We’re trying to speed up the process with these guys, learn each other.” … Jake Layman played his first game since Nov. 18, having missed the last 40 with a left toe sprain.
Mavericks: G Jalen Brunson sat out and will miss at least the next four games with a right shoulder sprain. Coach Rick Carlisle said Brunson will travel on the team’s upcoming four-game road trip while rehabbing. … Carlisle did not discuss the team’s appeal filed after its loss to the Hawks, saying: “We’ll hear something when we hear something.”
UP NEXT
Minnesota Timberwolves guard D'Angelo Russell (0) drives the ball against Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) in the first half during an NBA basketball game on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Dallas. (AP PhotoRichard Rodriguez)
Timberwolves: At Miami on Wednesday.
Mavericks: At San Antonio on Wednesday.
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Dallas Mavericks guard Courtney Lee (1) tries to defend against a shot by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Juan Hernangomez (41) in the first half during an NBA basketball game on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Dallas. (AP PhotoRichard Rodriguez)