Outcome never in doubt at Minny

MINNEAPOLIS – The Mavericks treated this last-place team like a last-place team. The outcome was never in doubt, as Dallas out-classed the rebuilding Timberwolves 101-78 Sunday afternoon at the Target Center.

The Mavs (23-11) completed this end of the two-game sweep of the worst teams in each conference with considerable ease. Unlike the two stops they needed in the closing seconds Friday to outlast injury-riddled Miami, Dirk Nowitzki and Co. dominated Minnesota from the opening tip.

The reigning MVP scored a game-high 30 points, working mostly against smaller defenders such as Craig Smith and Mark Madsen. The Mavs’ other All-Star forward, Josh Howard, hit 20 points for the first time since Dec. 19 with 22. He added eight rebounds.

Even with Erick Dampier and Jerry Stackhouse out, Avery Johnson was able to rest several of his main guys. None of the five starters played more than the 32 minutes logged by Nowitzki and Howard. Eddie Jones, Devin Harris and Jason Terry played between 22-24 minutes. All 12 on the active roster saw action in the Mavs’ fourth straight win.

The extra rest likely isn’t much of an issue since the team is off until Wednesday’s showdown with Detroit. The Pistons, in contrast to Miami and Minnesota, are positioned to make a title run this season.