In a highly anticipated matchup, two NBA division leaders in the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves, will face off on Thursday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The Timberwolves, currently leading the Northwest Division with a stellar 17-5 record, are tied with the Boston Celtics for the best record in the NBA.

Despite being without their leading scorer, Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves had been on an impressive six-game winning streak before their loss against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. As four-point underdogs, Minnesota fell short, losing 121-107. On the other hand, the Mavericks managed to hang on for a tight victory against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Playing with a makeshift lineup due to multiple injuries, the Mavericks pulled off a 127-125 win as three-point home underdogs. Luka Doncic led the charge for Dallas with an outstanding performance, contributing 33 points and 17 assists. Tim Hardaway, Jr. also played a crucial role off the bench, scoring 32 points.

The Mavericks, despite their injury struggles, are currently on a four-game winning streak. However, they will once again be without Kyrie Irving, who has missed their last two games due to a right foot injury. Maxi Kleber, a key reserve player, will also be sidelined for the game against the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves have a 3-3 record against the spread (ATS) as underdogs this season, with all three losses occurring on the road. Meanwhile, the Mavericks have covered the spread in eight of their last 11 opportunities as favorites but have gone 3-4 ATS in their past seven games as home favorites.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. However, the Timberwolves had the upper hand in their matchups against the Mavericks in the 2022-23 season, winning two out of three games. Notably, the Timberwolves have not lost consecutive games this season, boasting a 4-0 record in games following a loss, with three of those victories coming by double-digits. The Timberwolves are hopeful to have Anthony Edwards back in the lineup after he missed their last game due to a hip injury.

Looking at the betting odds, the Timberwolves are listed as +2 underdogs. While Edwards' availability is uncertain, the Timberwolves might err on the side of caution due to his nagging injury since late November. Given the Timberwolves' strong performance after losses this season and the Mavericks potentially experiencing a letdown after their big win against the Lakers, it might be wise to back the Timberwolves on the road to start a new winning streak.

In another exciting matchup, the New York Knicks will host the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. Both teams will be looking to break their respective losing streaks. The Knicks have dropped their last two games in the NBA's In-Season Tournament, losing by 24 points to the Milwaukee Bucks in the quarterfinals and by 10 points to the Boston Celtics in the losers' bracket. Similarly, the Raptors have lost five out of their last six games, including their last three as favorites against the Knicks, Miami Heat, and Charlotte Hornets.

The Raptors' upcoming game against the Knicks presents an opportunity for revenge, as the Knicks defeated them 119-106 at home on December 1. Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 29 points in the loss, while Donte DiVincenzo torched the Raptors from the New York bench with seven three-pointers. The Raptors have struggled with their three-point defense this season, currently possessing the worst record in the league in that category.

As underdogs on the road, the Raptors have covered the spread in four of their last six opportunities, managing outright wins against the Phoenix Suns and the Indiana Pacers. In their matchup against the Knicks, the Raptors are getting 4.5 points. The Knicks, on the other hand, have a 1-3 record against the spread in their last four home games. However, they have won six out of their past seven games at Madison Square Garden. In recent years, the Raptors have had success in New York, winning three out of their last four games, including two victories as short underdogs in the previous season.

The Knicks' usually stingy defense, coached by Tom Thibodeau, has been uncharacteristically porous in their last two games, allowing 146 and 133 points, respectively. After holding the Raptors to 106 points in their previous matchup just ten days ago, the Knicks struggled defensively against the Bucks and Celtics, with both teams shooting over 50% from beyond the arc and combining for 42 made three-pointers.

Despite the Knicks' strong home record this season, their recent defensive struggles and the revenge motivation for the Raptors make it tempting to back Toronto in this divisional matchup. The Raptors are listed as +4.5 underdogs, and taking the points might be a wise choice considering the circumstances.

Overall, both games present intriguing storylines and betting opportunities. Fans and bettors alike will be eagerly watching as these division leaders and conference rivals battle it out on the court.