Christmas Day Preview: Timberwolves at Mavericks

The Timberwolves are reeling heading into their Christmas Day showdown with Dallas. Can the Wolves find some holiday magic and gift an ice cold lump of revenge to the Mavericks?

Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks
Date: December 25th, 2024
Time: 1:30 PM CST
Location: Target Center
Television Coverage: ABC/ESPN/ESPN+/Disney+
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM/Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Christmas Day Showdown: Will the Wolves Deliver Cheer or Lump of Coal?

Well, here we are—the game we all circled when the NBA schedule dropped. Christmas Day. National TV. A chance for revenge against the Dallas Mavericks, the team that ripped our hearts out in last spring’s Western Conference Finals.

When this matchup was announced, it had all the makings of a heavyweight bout. Two Western Conference juggernauts. Luka vs. Ant. But fast-forward a few months, and, well… the shine is looking a little duller than Rudolph’s nose on a foggy Christmas Eve.

The Timberwolves? A maddening rollercoaster of highs and lows. One week, they’re clamping down on defense, looking like a team ready to make a championship run. The next, they’re going six minutes without scoring, giving us basketball flashbacks to Hoosiers’ four-pass rule. Add some uninspired defensive stretches, and you’ve got a team that’s unpredictable on a night-to-night basis.

But hey, it’s Christmas. Hope springs eternal. Let’s analyze this one down like the assembly instructions to your daughter’s newly unwrapped Barbie Dream House.

The Wolves: A Tale of Two Teams

First, let’s address the obvious: the Wolves are coming in on a three-game skid uglier than a Christmas sweater. They were demolished by Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks at home. They followed that with a historically inept first-half performance against Golden State. And then they capped it with a 19-point hole against Atlanta, clawing their way back before unraveling again. It’s been rough.

If this team shows up with that same energy tomorrow, we’re all getting coal in our stockings.

But—and it’s a big but—we’ve seen flashes of brilliance. This is still the team that started December on fire, locking down opponents and showing us the blueprint for success. The question is whether they can rediscover that mojo against a Mavericks team that’s had their number.

Keys to the Game: Offense, Defense, and Maybe Some Holiday Magic

1. Keep the Offense Flowing

This Mavericks squad, led by Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, can score in bursts. That means the Wolves can’t afford one of their patented six-minute scoring droughts. You know, the ones where we all start questioning our life choices and refreshing our Twitter feeds.

It starts with cohesion. Ball movement. Smart passing. No dumb turnovers. And for the love of Christmas, spacing. Clear the lanes so Ant can get downhill. Let Julius Randle bully his way inside. Get Rudy Gobert some easy lobs. And when the defense collapses, find your shooters—NAW, Naz, Donte—and knock down those open threes.

Consistency is the name of the game. We don’t need to light the world on fire—just avoid digging a hole too deep to climb out of.

2. Defense: Contain Luka and Kyrie (If That’s Even Possible)

This is the matchup that keeps coaches up at night. Luka is the league’s ultimate chess master—he’s already five moves ahead before Rudy even sets the screen. And Kyrie? A wizard who can torch you from anywhere on the court.

So, what’s the plan? Honestly, it might be a pick your poison scenario. If Luka is cooking, you might just have to let him eat and focus on shutting down everyone else. But if he’s frustrated—drawing at refs, pulling a Home Alone Kevin McCallister pout—that’s your chance to pounce.

And let’s not forget about the Mavericks’ bigs. Last spring, Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford feasted on easy dunks and layups. Rudy, Naz, and Julius need to own the paint, force tough looks, and deny those momentum-killing alley-oops.

3. Attack Luka on Defense

Here’s a secret: Luka doesn’t love playing defense. If you let him rest on that end, he’ll save his energy for the offensive fireworks show. The Wolves need to attack him—force him into tough matchups, get him in foul trouble, and, if possible, frustrate him into making mistakes.

Why This Game Matters

Let’s not mince words: this is a huge game for Minnesota. Lose here, and it’s four straight L’s heading into a stretch against Houston, San Antonio, and OKC. Fall under .500, and the wolves of doubt start howling at your door.

But win? Suddenly everything feels a little brighter. The weight of this funk lifts. The Wolves can focus on ending 2024 on a high note. It’s not just about standings; it’s about belief.

Final Thoughts: A Christmas Wish

Here’s the thing about this Wolves team—they’re talented. They’re capable. They’ve shown us they can hang with anyone in the league. But the mental lapses, the lack of execution, the inconsistency—it’s like watching Elf but fast-forwarding through all the fun parts.

This is a chance to turn the page. A chance to show the league—and themselves—that they’re still the team we thought they could be. Beating the Mavericks on their home floor, on Christmas Day, would be a statement.

So, will the Wolves give us some holiday cheer? Or will it be another turd in our eggnog? We’ll find out tomorrow.

Happy holidays, Wolves fans. Let’s hope Ant and company deliver a little Christmas magic.