By Floyd Barber

The Minnesota Timberwolves could probably benefit from a holiday break to address the many issues that have led to the team’s disappointing 14-14 start.

Instead, the Wolves are set to play in front of a national TV audience when they visit the surging Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.

Minnesota dropped its third straight game on Monday in a 117-104 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

The Wolves will look to regroup against the Mavericks, who beat the Portland Trail Blazers 132-108 on Monday for their 14th win in their last 17 games.

Minnesota has failed to score 110 points in regulation in 14 straight games and struggled from the start in Monday’s loss to Atlanta.

Even with proven scorers such as Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, the Wolves are 23rd in the NBA with 109.3 points per game. Following Monday’s loss, Randle was asked how the Wolves could improve on the offensive end.

Minnesota is looking to avenge a 120-114 home loss in its first meeting this season against Dallas on Oct. 29. Edwards scored 37 points for the Wolves, while Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 35.

While Minnesota is playing below expectations, Dallas is in fourth place in the Western Conference race and owns a 10-4 mark at home this season.

Dallas star Luka Doncic returned after missing two games with a left heel contusion and scored 27 points in Monday’s win over Portland. Doncic is averaging 24.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 16 career games against Minnesota.

The Mavericks also received a spark against Portland from center Daniel Gafford, who finished with 23 points off the bench on 7-of-7 shooting from the field and 9-of-14 from the foul line.

Dallas guard Klay Thompson enters Wednesday’s contest just two 3-pointers away from passing Reggie Miller (2,560) for fifth on the NBA’s all-time career 3-pointers list.

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