For the first half of their 121-87 victory over the shorthanded Mavericks, the Timberwolves played down to their level of competition. Against a Dallas team that was without Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic for the second time in their two visits to Target Center, the Wolves lacked the energy that led to recent bad losses against Charlotte and San Antonio.
But the Wolves woke up in the second half, and behind a stellar offensive effort from Karl-Anthony Towns, they came away with their second consecutive victory. The Wolves also allowed their fewest points in a game this season.