MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — The Minnesota Timberwolves, holding firm in the Western Conference playoff picture, will look to continue their dominance over the struggling Dallas Mavericks when the teams meet Friday night at Target Center. The Timberwolves (34-22) have won both matchups this season, including a 118-105 victory in Dallas on Jan. 28. They enter on a high note after a 133-109 rout of Portland on Feb. 11, powered by a 41-point performance from forward Julius Randle. Randle has been a central figure in Minnesota’s success, averaging 31 points, five rebounds and four assists in the previous meeting with Dallas. Over his last 10 games, he is averaging 22.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists, including a triple-double against Atlanta on Feb. 9. The Mavericks (19-35), meanwhile, are mired in a prolonged slump, having lost nine of their last 10 games. Their most recent outing was a 124-104 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 12. Guard Brandon Williams, a player to watch for Dallas, contributed 17 points, five rebounds and seven assists in that loss. Williams has shown flashes of scoring ability, posting 20 points against the Lakers on Jan. 24 and 19 points in a win over Golden State on Jan. 22. He scored 17 points in the Jan. 28 loss to Minnesota. Dallas will need a consistent, high-level performance from him to challenge a deep Timberwolves roster that also features Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, who combined for 38 points and 14 rebounds in the last meeting. The game marks the start of a three-game road trip for Dallas, which visits Indiana on Sunday. Minnesota begins a brief two-game homestand before hosting Philadelphia on Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.