The Dallas Mavericks (22-16) defeated the host Minnesota Timberwolves (12-26) 93-87 on Sunday evening.
Minnesota started out on a 12-4 run but the Mavs battled back to tie it at 22 by the end of the first quarter. Dallas entered the fourth quarter up by 13 and cruised to victory from there, despite a 32-point fourth quarter by Minnesota.
Dirk Nowitzki put on a stellar performance, finishing with a game-high 29 points (12-22 FG, 4-7 3Pt) along with seven rebounds, one assist and one steal, in 31 minutes. Chandler Parsons chipped in 14 points on very efficient 6-7 shooting from the field, as well as five rebounds and two assists, in 29 minutes. The only other player to score in double digits for the Mavs was Zaza Pachulia, who tallied a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, along with two assists and one blocked shot, in 32 minutes. This win gives Dallas a bit of a cushion at the fifth spot in the West.
The Timberwolves made a push in the last couple minutes to make it a five-point game but could not follow through for the win, thus continuing their struggles by losing their sixth straight. Andrew Wiggins led the Timberwolves in scoring, with 21 points (8-19 FG) along with seven rebounds, three assists and two steals, in 36 minutes. Ricky Rubio filled the stat sheet with 12 points (4-10 FG), eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals, in 33 minutes. Shabazz Muhammad dropped 16 points (5-10 FG) and grabbed five rebounds, in 27 minutes off the bench. Andre Miller left the game after taking a hard fall at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Next the Timberwolves will have their hands full with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who will be in town for a contest on Tuesday. The Mavericks will return home after three games on the road to face Cleveland on Tuesday, they will then head out on another three-game road trip.
