Rubio could return, as Rondo sits

One point guard will return, while another will sit when the Minnesota Timberwolves visit American Airlines Center to take on the Dallas Mavericks.

Ricky Rubio is slated to return to the Timberwolves lineup Monday after missing 42 games with a sprained ankle. The team went 6-37 in his absence.

"He's seen three specialists and all of them have cleared him if things are OK come Monday," head coach Flip Saunders said on Saturday. "They have OK'd him to be able to play on a limited time basis. We will have to wait until Monday pretty much comes."

For the Mavs, Rajon Rondo is out with a facial injury. Rondo was hurt early in the first quarter in Orlando after a collision with teammate Richard Jefferson. Jefferson's knee hit the face of Rondo, whose head then struck the floor.

The Mavs defeated the Magic, 108-93, Saturday.

Monta Ellis scored 25 points and handed out 13 assists to help the Mavericks defeat Orlando.

After leading by as much as 27, the Mavericks' edge was cut to as little as five in the fourth quarter before they pulled away again.

"Monta Ellis carried us again," Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle said. "He was tremendous and made great defensive plays."

Tyson Chandler added 20 points and nine rebounds for Dallas in its second straight win, and Dirk Nowitzki netted 11 points. Jefferson (14), Devin Harris (12) and J.J. Barea (10) rounded out the double-figure scorers for Dallas.

The Mavs have a two-game California trip, starting Wednesday. Rondo's availability for that trek against the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings is unknown.

Minnesota fell to the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday in Kevin Love's return to the Twin Cities. Love, who was booed every time he touched the ball, had 14 points and 17 rebounds in Cleveland's 106-90 victory over the Timberwolves.

After playing his first six NBA seasons for the Timberwolves, Love was dealt to Cleveland as part of a three-team deal in the offseason. Minnesota acquired Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, the last two No. 1 overall picks in the draft.

Wiggins had himself a career night in a losing cause, scoring 33 points on 14- of-25 shooting. The 19-year-old matched the franchise record for most points by a teenager.

"I love the big stage and playing in the spotlight," Wiggins said. "It's motivation for everybody."

Thaddeus Young ended with 19 points for the Timberwolves, who have lost two straight. Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin had 14 points apiece, with Pekovic also pulling down 12 rebounds.

Zach LaVine is expected to miss Monday's game with an ankle injury. Mo Williams could return against the Mavs after missing three games with a hip problem.

The Mavs won both of this season's meetings, but are just 2-4 in their last six as the host in this series.

[SportsNetwork.com]