MINNEAPOLIS — LaMelo Ball and the Minnesota Timberwolves ran away from the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter at the Target Center, turning what had been a game into a laugher.

Absolute dominance.

The Wolves improved to 9-3 on the season, extending their win streak to five games, with a 133-94 win over the Mavericks.

The Wolves gradually built up a double-digit lead in the first half and then came out in the third quarter and called game.

Ball was a maestro, orchestrating every move and finished with 22 points and three rebounds.

Bones Hyland helped spark things early in the game, adding a game-high 24 points off the bench and was one of six players who finished in double figures for Minnesota. Ball had nine assists, Jonathan Kuminga was all over the place, AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys was in the crowd and the Wolves looked larger than life.

This was the second game of a eight-game home stand for the Wolves. They’ll be back at Target Center on Sunday to host the Chicago Bulls.

Since Anthony Edwards was diagnosed with a knee issue that resulted in arthroscopic surgery, the Wolves have found other ways to assert their authority as a Western Conference stalwart.

Mavericks star Cooper Flagg (12 points) was 5 for 12 from the field for Dallas. The Wolves held Kyrie Irving to 10 points.

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