Timberwolves-Mavericks Preview

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO

(AP) -- Scoring hasn't been much of a problem at home lately for the Dallas Mavericks, but their defense has slipped partially due to some lengthy games.

Facing the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves for the second time in two weeks could solve that.

The Mavericks go for an eighth win in 10 home games as they try to extend their winning streak over the Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

Dallas (24-19) is averaging 108.4 points while winning seven of its last nine home games after splitting the first 10 while scoring 99.6 per game.

The Mavericks, however, are surrendering an average of 113.0 points while winning two of their last three games. Each of those games has gone into overtime, including a 117-116 double-OT win over Sacramento on Jan. 5.

Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams prevented Dallas from going that far Monday, combining for 17 of its 20 points in overtime of a 118-113 win over Boston.

"I just dug deep. That was a gutsy win," said Nowitzki, who tied a season high with 31 points - 21 after the third quarter - and had 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season.

Williams has been much more productive at home than on the road. He scored 20 points against the Celtics, giving him an average of 19.1 points over his last 10 home games compared to 8.4 in his past seven away.

Williams' struggled on the road at Minnesota on Jan. 10, totaling four points on 2-for-10 shooting. However, Nowitzki practically carried the Mavs to a 93-87 victory, scoring 29 points with seven rebounds while sinking 12 of 22 from the floor - 4 of 7 from 3-point range.

"(Dirk) just makes the game so easy," Williams told the team's official website.

Dallas has won four straight meetings with the Timberwolves (13-30), holding them to 85.3 points per game and 20.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc over the last three.

Minnesota is doing little to inspire confidence it's capable of ending its woes. The Timberwolves are averaging 93.9 points while losing 14 of their last 16 games, and they've dropped a season-high seven straight on the road after a 114-99 defeat at New Orleans on Tuesday.

It's Minnesota's longest road losing streak since a 10-game skid from Nov. 30, 2014-Jan. 9, 2015.

Despite the Timberwolves occupying the Northwest Division cellar, Andrew Wiggins has been a bright spot with 24.3 points per game over the last seven. That includes 21 points with seven rebounds against the Mavs earlier this month after the second-year pro averaged 12.3 and 4.3 over his first three career matchups.

Rookie Karl-Anthony Towns wasn't very effective in his first meeting with Dallas, scoring 10 points with four rebounds. The No. 1 overall pick enters this one after putting up 20 points and pulling down 13 boards against the Pelicans.