Mavericks 113, Timberwolves 98: Darren Collison had 23 points and nine assists to help host Dallas pick up its third straight victory by downing Minnesota.

O.J. Mayo had 20 points and nine assists and Elton Brand added 20 points as the Mavericks shot 59.7 percent from the field while beating the Timberwolves for the first time in three meetings this season.

J.J. Barea scored 21 points and Nikola Pekovic had 20 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota, which lost its fourth straight and 10th in the last 14 contests.

Minnesota trailed by nine just past the midway point of the third quarter. Jae Crowder drained a 3-pointer to start a 17-3 burst that saw Dallas stretch its lead to 23 points. The Mavericks led 91-70 entering the fourth quarter and held off a late Minnesota charge.

Dallas led by as many as 11 points in the opening quarter and was up 26-19 when it ended. The Timberwolves trailed by just four after Dante Cunningham’s basket with 4:35 left in the half before the Mavericks put together a 10-2 run. Dallas led 55-45 at halftime.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Mavericks were 15-of-16 from the free-throw line with Collison sinking all eight of his attempts. … Timberwolves All-Star forward Kevin Love is slated to undergo hand surgery on Tuesday. He broke two bones in his right hand on Jan. 3 against the Denver Nuggets. … Dallas had 33 assists on 46 made baskets.