Mavs and T-Wolves square off in Dallas

Dallas, TX (Basketball News) - The Dallas Mavericks are not expected to have Dirk Nowitzki in the lineup tonight when they welcome Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves to American Airlines Center for a Midwest Division battle.

Nowitzki has an ankle injury and did not play in Dallas’ 113-103 loss at Denver on Friday.

Antoine Walker poured in 30 points and hauled in 15 boards for the Mavericks, who dropped their second straight game.

The Nuggets trailed late in the fourth quarter, but VoshonLenard drilled a three-pointer from the right wing to give them a 98-96 lead with 3:20 to play and Denver never trailed the rest of the way.

The Mavericks forged a 98-98 tie it on their next possession on a Walker bucket in the lane. But on the ensuing possession, the Nuggets went ahead for good on a basket by Carmelo Anthony as Denver led 100-98 with 2:40 remaining.

The next three points in the game came from the stripe, all from Nene. He hit one with 1:47 left and then 39 seconds later, he connected on a pair to increase the Denver margin to 103-98.

Michael Finley drilled a triple with 1:02 to play, cutting the Mavericks’ deficit to three. But that was as close as Dallas would get as Anthony responded with another basket for the Nuggets.

Dallas is a perfect 8-0 at home this season.

Kevin Garnett posted 21 points, 18 boards and seven assists to lead Minnesota to a 102-98 win over Memphis Friday at The Pyramid.

Sam Cassell had a game-high 25 points, while Latrell Sprewell contributed 24 points for the Timberwolves, who snapped a two-game skid.

Minnesota is 5-3 on the road.

In 2002-03, the teams split four contests as each club won once as the host and once on the road.

The Timberwolves have won four of the last six meetings with the Mavs.