"Ricky Rubio's impact on the Timberwolves is already reaching highlight levels.

A few numbers bring clarity to the Wolves' 99-82 victory over the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night at Target Center, the Wolves' first regular-season win since last March:

When Wolves coach Rick Adelman sent Rubio into the game with 2:27 left in the third quarter, the Wolves were clinging to a one-point lead. The Wolves (1-3) outscored the Mavericks 32-13 the rest of the night.

Rubio played all of the fourth quarter and delivered seven points and five assists, including a sizzling bounce pass between the legs of Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki to forward Anthony Tolliver in the corner. Tolliver sank a three-pointer that helped the Wolves close out the Mavericks with a 15-0 run.

"You can tell we're starting to get used to playing with Ricky when I'm in the corner, and somehow, I know that ball is coming to me," Tolliver said. "I'm not surprised that pass went through Dirk's legs."

Tolliver's shot brought the crowd of 15,115 to its feet with 2:01 left and signaled the end of the Wolves' 18-game losing streak. Rubio was playing for Regal FC Barcelona 294 days ago when the Wolves last won a regular-season game, 122-101 over the Utah Jazz on March 11, 2011.

"It's a good way to start off the New Year," Wolves forward Kevin Love. "We're the best team in 2012." "