Mavericks 100, Timberwolves 77: Vince Carter collected 22 points and nine rebounds and Dirk Nowitzki had 16 points and nine rebounds as visiting Dallas cruised to the win over injury-plagued Minnesota.

Brandan Wright contributed 13 points and seven rebounds for Dallas, which led 41-23 after opening the second quarter on a 20-3 run and was never threatened again. The Mavericks sit three games behind the eighth-place Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference.

Minnesota shot 36.4 percent from the field and lost for the eighth time in the last nine games. Derrick Williams led the Timberwolves with 18 points and nine rebounds, and J.J. Barea had 16 points.

Elton Brand recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds for Dallas, which has won four of its last five games. O.J. Mayo grabbed eight boards for the Mavericks, who outrebounded Minnesota 59-40.

Minnesota, which was down to nine healthy players because of numerous injuries, trailed by 12 at the half and fell behind 82-61 when Wright scored on a dunk with 9:53 remaining.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Dallas F Shawn Marion missed his second straight game with a bruised left calf, and he’s listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game at Milwaukee. … Dallas improved to 21-7 against teams that are under .500. … The Mavericks matched a season best by holding the Timberwolves to 77 points.