Timberwolves vs. Mavericks odds, prediction: 2024 NBA Western Conference finals Game 3 picks by proven model

The Minnesota Timberwolves will look to climb back into the best-of-seven series with the Dallas Mavericks when they meet in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Sunday. Dallas stunned Minnesota by taking the first two games at Minneapolis, including a 109-108 win on Friday. The Timberwolves (56-26), who are looking to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, won three of four regular-season meetings with Dallas. The Mavericks (50-32), who won the Southwest Division, have never lost a postseason game to Minnesota in five previous meetings.

Tip-off from American Airlines Center in Dallas is set for 8 p.m. ET. The Mavericks are 1.5-point favorites in the latest Timberwolves vs. Mavericks odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 207.5. Before making any Mavericks vs. Timberwolves picks, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven SportsLine Projection Model. 

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model entered the conference finals in the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 94-61 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following the model has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has dialed in on Timberwolves vs. Mavs in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals and locked in its 2024 NBA playoff predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Mavs vs. Timberwolves:

• Timberwolves vs. Mavericks spread: Dallas -1.5
• Timberwolves vs. Mavericks over/under: 207.5 points
• Timberwolves vs. Mavericks money line: Minnesota +100, Dallas -120
• MIN: The Timberwolves have hit the money line in 31 of their last 45 away games (+17.85 units)
• DAL: The Mavericks have covered the spread in 33 of their last 47 games (+17.60 units)
• Timberwolves vs. Mavericks picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why the Mavericks can cover 

Power forward P.J. Washington has reached double-digit scoring in eight of his last nine postseason games and has recorded three double-doubles during that span. In a Game 2 119-110 win at Oklahoma City in the second round, Washington poured in 29 points, while grabbing 11 rebounds and adding four assists. He is coming off a 10-point, five-rebound and two-block effort in Friday’s Game 2 win at Minnesota. In 14 playoff games, all starts, he is averaging 13.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and one steal in 36 minutes.

Small forward Derrick Jones Jr. has been solid this postseason, scoring 10 or more points in seven of 13 games. He scored a playoff-high 22 points, while adding four rebounds and two assists in a 117-116 Game 6 close-out win over the Thunder in the second round on May 18. He had eight points and four boards in the Game 1 win over the Timberwolves. In 14 playoff games, all starts, Jones is averaging 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 assists in 31 minutes. See which team to pick here.

Why the Timberwolves can cover 

Center Rudy Gobert is coming off a double-double performance in Friday’s loss. In 38 minutes of action, he scored 16 points, while adding 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals. He has registered five double-doubles this postseason, scoring 10 or more points eight times. In 12 games, all starts, he is averaging 12.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals in 34.8 minutes.

Power forward Jaden McDaniels has scored 20 or more points in three of the last four games. In the 108-105 Game 1 loss on Wednesday, he scored 24 points, while adding four rebounds and three assists. He had 23 points, six boards and two steals in the 98-90 Game 7 win at Denver on May 19 during the conference semifinals. In 13 playoff starts, McDaniels is averaging 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 blocks in 34.2 minutes. See which team to pick here.

How to make Mavericks vs. Timberwolves picks      

SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 214 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits over 60% of the time. You can only get the model’s pick at SportsLine. 

So who wins Game 3 of Mavericks vs. Timberwolves, and which side of the spread hits over 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has returned more than $2,800 on its NBA picks this season, and find out.