Timberwolves Crush Mavericks 120-96 as Naz Reid Fires Season-High 22 Points
The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t just beat the Dallas Mavericks — they dismantled them. On Monday, November 17, 2025, at Target Center in Minneapolis, the Timberwolves rolled to a 120-96 victory, their fifth win in six games and a brutal reminder of how far apart these two teams have become. Naz Reid, the 26-year-old center who’s quietly become Minnesota’s most reliable offensive weapon, dropped a season-high 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting, adding six rebounds and three blocks in just 28 minutes. The game, tipped off at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and broadcast on Fox Sports Net, was never close after the second quarter — and it wasn’t even close as a betting proposition. Minnesota entered as 14.5-point favorites. They won by 24.
Why the Mavericks Keep Losing
The Dallas Mavericks are in freefall. At 4-10, they’ve lost 13 straight games against Western Conference opponents with winning records. They’ve failed to cover the spread in eight straight road games against teams above .500. And their defense? It’s leaking like a sieve. Dallas averages 117.0 points allowed per game — 18th in the league — despite ranking second in blocks at 6.3 per contest. That’s the paradox: they block shots, but they can’t stop drives, can’t close out on shooters, and their rotations are a step too slow. Their lone road win in the last 10 games? A 112-109 nail-biter in Washington. Against Minnesota? No chance.
What’s worse? They’re running out of answers. Luka Dončić is playing through a nagging ankle issue, and the bench has zero consistent scoring threats. Their offense, averaging just 111.3 points per game (27th in the NBA), stalls when the starters sit. And when they need a stop in crunch time? They’re 1-7 in games decided by five points or fewer this season. The loss to Minnesota wasn’t an upset. It was an inevitability.
Minnesota’s Rise Isn’t a Fluke
The Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t just winning — they’re playing with purpose. Their 8-5 record isn’t luck. It’s structure. They’ve covered the spread in seven of their last eight games. They’ve won five of their last six. And they’re doing it with balance: scoring 120.7 points per game (fifth in the league), while holding opponents to 115.8 — a significant improvement from last season’s 122.1 average. Their defense? It’s not flashy, but it’s disciplined. They force turnovers, rotate well, and their front line — led by Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns — is among the most disruptive in the West.
Reid’s explosion wasn’t isolated. Anthony Edwards added 24 points and five assists, while Gobert dominated the paint with 14 rebounds and four blocks. The Timberwolves outrebounded Dallas 48-39, held them to 40.7% shooting, and forced 17 turnovers. They turned those into 22 fast-break points. This isn’t a team that’s just hoping to win — they’re hunting opponents.
The Numbers Don’t Lie — But They Do Surprise
Here’s what the stats didn’t predict: the Mavericks were 4-0 to the under on their team total on the road this season. Yet they scored 96 — their second-lowest output of the year. The over/under was set at 230.5. The final was 216. That’s not a fluke — it’s a pattern. Dallas has struggled to score in transition, and Minnesota’s half-court defense forced them into tough, contested shots. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, hit 51% from the field and 11-of-25 from three. They didn’t need to rely on hero ball. They just kept moving the ball, and the shots fell.
And then there’s the back-to-back factor. SportsChatPlace noted Minnesota had won each of their last nine games against teams playing the second night of a back-to-back. Dallas? They were coming off a 118-112 overtime loss to Phoenix on Sunday. Their legs were gone. Their energy? Gone too.
What This Means for the West
This result reshapes the playoff picture in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves are now firmly in the top six, with a schedule that softens over the next three weeks. They face only two teams with winning records before December 1 — and one of them is the rebuilding Sacramento Kings. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are sliding toward the lottery. Their trade deadline moves — if any — will be dictated by how badly they collapse. The front office is watching. The fans are frustrated. And the locker room? It’s quiet.
For Minnesota, this win isn’t just about momentum. It’s about identity. They’re no longer the team that chokes in the fourth quarter. They’re not the team that loses to bottom-feeders. They’re becoming a legitimate contender — and the Mavericks? They’re becoming a cautionary tale.
What’s Next?
The Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, November 19 — a true test of their championship credentials. The Mavericks travel to Portland on Tuesday, trying to snap a six-game losing streak. If Dallas loses again, they’ll be 4-11 — and the conversation will shift from "can they turn it around?" to "is it too late?"
For now, Minnesota’s confidence is growing. Their bench is contributing. Their defense is tightening. And Naz Reid? He’s not just a role player anymore. He’s the spark.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Naz Reid’s performance impact the game?
Naz Reid’s season-high 22 points were critical because he provided offensive punch off the bench when Minnesota’s starters needed rest. His efficiency — 9-of-12 shooting — kept the offense flowing, and his defensive presence (three blocks) disrupted Dallas’s drives to the rim. With Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns drawing double teams, Reid capitalized on open looks, forcing Dallas to extend their defense and opening lanes for Edwards and D’Angelo Russell.
Why have the Mavericks lost 13 straight games against winning Western Conference teams?
Dallas’s struggles stem from poor defensive rotations, lack of bench depth, and an overreliance on Luka Dončić. When he’s contained or resting, the offense stalls. Their guards can’t create for others consistently, and their big men struggle to switch on screens. Against teams with elite spacing like Minnesota, Phoenix, and Golden State, their weaknesses are exposed — especially on the road, where their execution drops by nearly 10%.
What’s the significance of Minnesota covering the spread in seven of their last eight games?
It shows Minnesota isn’t just winning — they’re winning decisively. Teams that consistently cover the spread tend to have balanced rosters, strong coaching, and clutch performances in the final minutes. The Timberwolves have improved their late-game execution, and their coaching staff has adjusted to exploit mismatches. This isn’t about luck — it’s about preparation. Opponents now know they can’t just play hard and expect to stay close.
How does this loss affect Dallas’s playoff chances?
Dallas is now 4-10 and in 13th place in the West. With only 10 teams making the playoffs, they’re already six games behind the eighth seed. Even if they go 15-10 the rest of the way, they’d need help from teams ahead of them to make the cut. Their remaining schedule includes five games against teams currently above .500 — including the Warriors, Lakers, and Nuggets. Realistically, they’re now fighting for draft position, not playoff seeding.
Is Minnesota a legitimate title contender now?
They’re close. With Edwards, Gobert, and Towns forming a top-5 trio in the West, and Reid emerging as a reliable sixth man, Minnesota has the talent. But their consistency away from home is still a question — they’re just 3-4 on the road. To win a title, they’ll need to win at least six road games in the playoffs. If their defense holds and their bench keeps scoring, they’re a dangerous 3-4 seed. But they’re not yet a favorite.
What’s the betting trend for Minnesota’s next game against Denver?
Minnesota is already a 5.5-point favorite against Denver, with the over/under at 228.5. The Timberwolves are 4-1 against teams with winning records this season, and Denver’s defense has been porous lately, allowing 121.3 points per game. If Minnesota’s offense keeps clicking and their defense stays disciplined, they’ll cover — and possibly win by 15 or more. The market is signaling a statement win.
