2024 NBA Western Conference finals odds, Game 2 time: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves picks, expert predictions

The 3-seed Minnesota Timberwolves will look to even their 2024 NBA playoffs series at 1-1 when they take on the 5-seed Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Friday. Dallas rallied from a third-quarter deficit to post a 108-105 victory on Wednesday. The Mavs (50-32) are looking to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010-11. Meanwhile, the Wolves (56-26) are looking for their first trip to the NBA Finals in franchise history. Mike Conley (calf) is listed as questionable for Minnesota.

The game from Target Center in Minneapolis will tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Timberwolves are averaging an NBA sixth-best 108.1 points per game this postseason, while the Mavericks average 106.6, seventh-best. Minnesota is a 5.5-point favorite 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 what legendary handicapper Bruce Marshall has to say .

An in-demand guest on numerous sports talk radio and TV shows across the country, Marshall's vast array of editorial work has been featured in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the New York Post and many other outlets. He has won various handicapping titles and also is working on several book projects. Marshall has crushed his NBA picks this season for SportsLine members, entering this matchup on a 193-141 run that has returned more than $3,800 for $100 players. Anybody following is way up.

Now, he has set his sights on Mavericks vs. Timberwolves and just locked in his picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see his picks . Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Mavericks vs. Timberwolves:

• Mavericks vs. Timberwolves spread: Minnesota -5.5
• Mavericks vs. Timberwolves over/under: 207.5 points
• Mavericks vs. Timberwolves money line: Dallas +193, Minnesota -236
• DAL: The Mavericks have hit the game total Under in 45 of their last 70 games (+17.50 units)
• MIN: The Timberwolves have covered the third-quarter spread in 51 of their last 82 games (+16.25 units)
• Mavericks vs. Timberwolves picks: See picks at SportsLine
  

Why the Timberwolves can cover

Power forward Jaden McDaniels is having a solid postseason, bettering his regular-season numbers nearly across the board. He is coming off a 24-point, four-rebound and three-assist effort in Wednesday's Game 1 loss. He had 23 points, six rebounds and two steals in the 98-90 series-clinching Game 7 win over the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals. In 12 playoff starts, he is averaging 13.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 blocks and one steal.

Center Rudy Gobert is averaging a double-double during the postseason. In 11 games, all starts, Gobert is averaging 12.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 blocks and one steal. He is coming off a 12-point, seven-rebound and two-block performance in the game 1 loss to Dallas. He has four double-doubles during this year's playoffs, including a 19-point, 14-rebound effort in a 126-109 win at Phoenix in Game 3 of their first-round series. See which team to pick here .

Why the Mavericks can cover

Point guard Luka Doncic continues to set the pace for Dallas. In 13 postseason games, all starts, he is averaging 27.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, nine assists and 1.5 steals in 41.9 minutes. In Game 1, he poured in 33 points, while adding eight assists, six rebounds and three steals. He finished the Western Conference semifinals against Oklahoma City by posting three consecutive triple-doubles. In the decisive Game 6 117-116 win, he scored 29 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists.

Point guard Kyrie Irving was dominant in Wednesday's win. He scored 30 points, while adding five rebounds, four assists and one blocked shot. He had 22 points in the Game 6 close-out win over Oklahoma City on Saturday. In 13 postseason starts, Irving is averaging 21.8 points, 5.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Irving is connecting on 48.6% of his field goals, including a blistering 42.3% from 3-point range, and 86.4% from the foul line. See which team to pick here .

How to make Mavericks vs. Timberwolves picks

Marshall is leaning Under on the point total. He has also identified a critical X-factor that makes one side of the spread a must-back. He's only sharing what it is, and which side to back, at SportsLine .

So who wins Mavericks vs. Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, and which side of the spread is a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Mavericks vs. Timberwolves spread to jump on, all from the expert who has returned more than $3,800 on his NBA picks this season , and find out.