Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Preview
At 7:30 ET, the Timberwolves (-113) will travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers (-108) in a non-conference matchup. Minnesota is currently favored by 1 point and the over/under line is set at 207.5.
This game will be played at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and can be seen on ESPN. The Timberwolves are 1st in the Western Conference (44-19) and have won two straight games. On the other side, the Cavaliers are 3rd in the Eastern Conference (40-22) and are 2nd in the Central Division.
Check out BetCoco for Cleveland Cavaliers – Minnesota Timberwolves odds
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Head-to-Head and Key Stats
Across the previous three matchups between Cleveland and Minnesota, the Timberwolves have played well, sitting at 3-0. However, the average point differential between the two teams has been been close, with Minnesota averaging 122 points and Cleveland at 116.
- In their last three road games, Minnesota has averaged 120 points per game while allowing 103. The team’s record in this stretch was 3-0 while going 3-0 vs. the spread.
- Through their last three home contests, the Cavaliers offense has averaged 111 points per game while allowing an average of 114. Cleveland posted an overall record of 1-2 while going 1-2 ATS.
- The last ten games that Cleveland was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 5-5 straight up.
- In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Timberwolves have a straight up record of 3-2, while going 0-5 against the spread.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
Minnesota is looking to extend their winning streak to three games today after defeating the Pacers 113-111. The Timberwolves were 1-point underdogs in that game, giving them an ATS win.
This season, Minnesota has an O/U record of 31-32, and their games have averaged 219.9 points per game. Today’s O/U line is set at 207.5.
The Timberwolves are currently 1st in the Western Conference with a record of 44-19. In the West, they are 30-10 against other teams and 14-9 in non-conference games.
Against the spread, Minnesota is 31-31 for the season and 17-14 on the road. As the favorite, their ATS record is 23-27, and they have gone 8-4 vs. the spread as the underdog.
On the road, Minnesota has an average scoring differential of +5.0 points per game. Their straight-up road record is 21-11.
The Timberwolves are 19th in the NBA in scoring at 113.3 points per game. On the road, they are averaging 114.9 points per game compared to 111.7 at home. Minnesota is 23rd in pace at 97.3 possessions per game.
When it comes to shooting, the Timberwolves are 9th in field goal percentage at 48%. They are 14th in two-point shooting at 54% and 3rd in three-point shooting at 38%.
Minnesota is 16th in assists at 26.3 per game and 27th in offensive rebounds with 9.3 per game. In terms of free throws, they are 9th in makes at 18.5 per game and 7th in attempts at 23.6 per game.
This season, the Timberwolves defense has been impressive, holding the 1st position in the league while permitting an average of 106.5 points per contest. Opponents are hitting 50.4% of their two-point field goal attempts this season, and they’re also connecting on 35.1% of their three-point attempts.
The Cavaliers are 40-22 on the season, which is good for 3rd place in the Eastern Conference. In their division, they are in 2nd place with a record of 9-5.
Cleveland’s ATS record for the season is 30-30, with a home ATS record of 15-17 and a road ATS record of 15-13. Today, they are 1-point underdogs and have an ATS record of 10-9 as underdogs.
When looking at their O/U record for the season, the Cavaliers are 27-34-1. In their last four games, the under has hit for Cleveland.
In their most recent game, the Cavaliers lost to the Hawks by a score of 112-101. The O/U line for that game was 218, and Cleveland was a 2.5-point underdog going into the game.
This season, the average O/U line for Cavaliers games is 225.2, which is higher than today’s line of 207.5. Cleveland has a record of 20-21 vs. the spread at home and a scoring differential of +4.5 PPG.
At home, the Cavaliers have averaged 115.1 points per game this season, which is 17th in the NBA. Overall, they are 18th in scoring at 114 points per game. In terms of pace, Cleveland is 21st in the league at 97.6 possessions per game.
When it comes to three-point shooting, the Cavaliers are 7th in the NBA in made threes at 13.6 per game. However, their three-point percentage is 16th in the league at 36%. In terms of free throws, Cleveland is 24th in made free throws at 15.8 per game.
Overall, the Cavaliers are 12th in the NBA in field goal percentage at 47%. In terms of two-point shooting, Cleveland is 8th in the league at 56%. They are 10th in assists at 27.7 per game.
At present, the Cavaliers’ defense is ranked 2nd, allowing 109.5 points per game. The Cavaliers defense is coming off a game in which they held the Hawks offense to just 43.8% shooting. Overall, they gave up 112 points to Atlanta.
Based on our projections, we have the Timberwolves coming out on top by a score of 118-116.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Tips
- Take the Timberwolves on the moneyline
- The Timberwolves should also cover at -1
- Projecting a combined 234 points, we like the over
Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report
- Tristan Thompson – Suspension – Out
- Donovan Mitchell – Knee – Out
- Ty Jerome – Ankle – Out
- Max Strus – Knee – Out
- Evan Mobley – Ankle – Out
Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report
- Karl-Anthony Towns – Knee – Out
- Monte Morris – Hamstring – Questionable
- Jaylen Clark – Achilles – Out