Mavericks vs. Timberwolves: Minnesota wins 90-82

The Minnesota Timberwolves took down the Dallas Mavericks on Monday in a battle between two teams likely to be playoff rivals later in the season, 90-82.

Dallas fell behind early as Minnesota's spread-out offense put points on the board early and often. The Wolves had five different players put up double-digit points, led by Nikola Pekovic's 20-point performance. Minnesota not only scored easily, but they also controlled the glass with 42 rebounds to Dallas' 35. The game was close in the final two minutes, with the Mavericks putting it within as few as six points, but they couldn't catch up.

Darren Collison's 21-point game led the Mavericks.

Both teams were playing without star players, with Minnesota still missing Kevin Love with a hand injury and Dallas missing Dirk Nowitzki, who is still recovering from preseason knee surgery. Despite not having Love or Ricky Rubio, the Wolves offense was still effective and put up more than 20 points in every quarter while holding the Mavs to less than 20 in two of the four.

Former Mavericks guard Jose Barea did not play due to a left mid-foot sprain.

Dallas dropped to 4-4 on the season with the loss. They will face the Washington Wizards in their next game on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. CT.