Dallas will be minus Rajon Rondo while the Timberwolves get a boost with the long-awaited return of Ricky Rubio, their star point guard who has been out since Nov. 7 with a severe ankle sprain. The Timberwolves also expect Mo Williams to play so they are back to being well fortified at point guard something Dallas isn't.



The Timberwolves already have back Kevin Martin and Nikola Pekovic in the middle. He can cause Dallas' soft front line problems inside.



This is Dallas' first game back from a three-game road trip that end this past Saturday night in Florida. After this game, the Mavericks face Golden State on the road on Wednesday followed by Sacramento on the road Thursday so they might not have their full focus.



Dallas has covered just 38 percent of its home contests and is 3-14-1 ATS in its last 18 games versus Western Conference foes.



The Timberwolves have young talent. Gorgui Dieng is an active big man and Andrew Wiggins is a shoo-in right now for Rookie-of-the-Year honors. Now that their best veteran players are back the Timberwolves are an underrated commodity right now. They have double revenge motivation here. It's their final chance against Dallas this season.



Minnesota has covered in its last six road games versus foes with a winning home mark. The Timberwolves are 8-3 ATS during their last 11 road matchups.

(Editor's note: Long-time pro Stephen Nover is 53-34-1 on his last 88 NBA plays and has NBA and CBB plays going today in addition to this free selection.)