Second of a back-to-back and a random, worthless one-game road trip for the Mavericks so I don't get why they would put up much of a fight. PJ Washington leads a handful of guys sitting out. The Mavs are only favored because the Bucks are tanking, too, and obviously still without Giannis. Welcome to the modern-day NBA.

Yesterday was a flat spot for the Dallas Mavericks at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves were energized with the return of Anthony Edwards, and blew out the Mavericks by thirty points. Prior to that loss the Mavericks were competitive in four straight games. They lost two games in overtime, covered against Denver, and beat Portland as a double digit underdog. Tail Dallas as the slight road favorite.

No Giannis of course, but no Bobby Portis or Kyle Kuzma either for the Bucks. Someone needs to make up for the missing 26.8 ppg for the latter two, and Turner, who averages 11.9 ppg, is a prime candidate. He’s played one game without both those teammates and scored 15, and in four games he’s suited up without Portis, he’s scored 15-plus in three of them. The Mavericks rank 28th in scoring by opposing centers.