On Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks (26-21) face the Minnesota Timberwolves (33-14) in a Western Conference matchup.

The Mavericks recently won a close home game against the Magic but failed to cover the 3.5-point spread. The Timberwolves secured an important victory against the Thunder, boosting their 1-seed aspirations. This marks the fourth and final meeting between the teams, with Minnesota leading the series 2-1.Dallas has struggled, losing four of their last six games, emphasizing their reliance on Luka Doncic’s scoring prowess. Doncic’s performances dictate the team’s success, evident in two wins where he scored 73 and 45 points, and four losses where he scored 34 or fewer points.Injuries have affected the Mavericks’ lineup, making contributions from supporting players crucial. The recent win against Orlando saw Doncic leading with 45 points, supported by Tim Hardaway Jr.’s 36-point effort.Uncertainty looms over key players like Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., and Dante Exum, all questionable due to injuries.Doncic remаins the top scorer, averaging 34.7 PPG, ranking second in the NBA, and contributing significantly in assists and rebounds. Without Irving, the оffensive burden falls on Hardaway Jr., averaging 18.4 PPG. Derrick Lively II and Grant Williams add strength in the frontcourt, with Lively showcasing promising numbers in his rookie season.In the potential absence of key players, Josh Green and Jaden Hardy are expected to step up on the wing. Despite ranking 6th in оffensive efficiency, the Mavericks strugglе defensively, placed 25th, while maintaining the 10th fastest pace in the league.