Doncic stays low, as Mavs hold off Timberwolves to keep edge in conference race / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Credit Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Dwight Powell scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks (44-28) held on for a 110-108 (23-29, 37-25, 26-27, 24-27) win over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves (42-31) on Monday night.

Player of the Game EFF 28 Dwight Powell Points 22 Accuracy 8-8 Rebounds 8 Assists 2

Spencer Dinwiddie added 20 points while shooting 7 of 12 from the field for the Mavericks. Luka Doncic shot only 5 of 17 but posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists.

Karl-Anthony Towns, who was questionable to play because of a forearm injury, led Minnesota with 22 points and eight rebounds. D'Angelo Russell scored 18 points and Taurean Prince chipped in 17 off the bench.

Dallas (44-28) snapped a two-game skid and moved 2 1/2 games in front of Minnesota (42-31) in the Western Conference standings as both teams look to secure a spot in the top six.

The Timberwolves trailed for the majority of the fourth quarter, but Patrick Beverley finally evened the score at 99-99 on a 3-pointer with 4:36 remaining. Beverley's basket capped a 7-0 run by Minnesota that included two free throws by Jaylen Nowell and a layup by Towns.

Thirty-five seconds later, Beverley assisted on a dunk by Malik Beasley that put the Timberwolves on top 101-100. That marked Minnesota's first lead since midway through the second quarter.

Dallas regained a 104-103 advantage on a basket by Doncic with 2:09 to play.

A 3-pointer by Dorian Finney-Smith increased Dallas' lead to 107-103 with 1:14 remaining.

The Timberwolves pulled within 107-105 on a dunk by Towns with one minute to go, but they quickly fell behind by five points on a 3-pointer by Reggie Bullock with 40.6 seconds left.

The Mavericks led 86-81 entering the fourth quarter.

A 30-foot, step-back jumper by Donic made it 82-70 in favor of Dallas with 2:51 remaining in the third quarter.

The Timberwolves finished the quarter on an 11-4 run to close the deficit to five points. Anthony Edwards drained a 3-pointer to start the run.

Dallas led 60-54 at the half.

A 3-pointer by Taurean Prince gave Minnesota a 36-34 lead with 7:51 to go before the break.

The Mavericks responded with a 9-0 run thanks to three free throws by Powell, a jump shot by Jalen Brunson, two free throws by Dinwiddie and a dunk by Powell.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns 22 (8 REB, 3 AST), Anthony Edwards 19 (6 REB), D'Angelo Russell 18 (6/16 FG, 5 REB, 4 AST), Taurean Prince 17.

Dallas Mavericks: Dwight Powell 22 (8/8 FG, 6/7 FT, 8 REB), Spencer Dinwiddie 20 (7/12 FG, 8 REB), Reggie Bullock 18 (6/11 FG, 7 REB), Dorian Finney-Smith 15 (6/11 FG, 7 REB, 4 AST), Luka Doncic 15 (5/17 FG, 2/4 FT, 6 REB, 10 AST, 8 TO), Jalen Brunson 15.

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