The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 140-136, at American Airlines Center on Saturday evening.
The tone for what would turn out to be a scoreboard-busting affair was set in the first quarter, with the two clubs combining for 83 points during the period. The Mavericks (1-1) tightened up enough on defense during the second period to erase an eight-point deficit and send the contest into intermission deadlocked at 69-69. Both teams essentially matched each other basket for basket in the third, and the Timberwolves (1-2) entered the final quarter with a slim two-point lead. However, Dallas saved their best for last, putting up a game-high 43 points in the fourth quarter. Dennis Smith, Jr. scored the final three points on free throws after Minnesota had gotten to within a point after a pair of Karl-Anthony Towns buckets from the charity stripe with 3.6 seconds left.
Towns led the way for Minnesota with 31 points and added five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Derrick Rose followed with a bench-leading 28 points, a total he supplemented with five rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. Jeff Teague just missed out on a double-double with 22 points, nine assists, two rebounds and one steal. Andrew Wiggins poured in 19 points and also supplied three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Taj Gibson's contributions included nine points and six boards, while first-round pick Josh Okogie pitched in six points, five boards, two assists and one steal while filling in for Jimmy Butler (rest).
Dallas' first-rounder Luka Doncic made significantly more noise, leading the Mavericks with 26 points. He also posted six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. DeAndre Jordan posted a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included one assist, five blocks and two steals. Dennis Smith, Jr., Wesley Matthews and Dwight Powell turned in a trio of 19-point tallies, the latter doing so off the bench. J.J. Barea was productive off the second unit as well, pitching in a 12-point, 11-assist double-double that also included a rebound and two steals.
The Timberwolves head back home for a Monday night showdown with the Indiana Pacers, while the Mavericks remain home and face the Chicago Bulls on that same evening.
