Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavaliers Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers (43-26) are 5.5-point underdogs against the Minnesota Timberwolves (47-22) in a non-conference matchup. The over/under line for the game is 210.5 points.
Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 ET at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The game can be seen on BSN.
Check out BetCoco for Minnesota Timberwolves – Cleveland Cavaliers odds
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavaliers Head-to-Head and Key Stats
In the last five head to head matchups, the Timberwolves have had the upper-hand, going 3-2. In the last three games as the favorite against the Cavaliers, the Timberwolves have put together a 2-1 vs. the spread.
- Although Cleveland has a straight up record of 6-4 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 5-5. The team averaged 110 points per game in these games.
- Minnesota has played well in their previous three home games, going 3-0 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 117 points per game while allowing 101. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-0.
- The Cavaliers have played well in their last three games as the betting underdog, going 2-1 straight up and 3-0 against the spread.
- Through their last three games as the favorite, the Timberwolves have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 3-0.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
Today, the Cavaliers are looking to snap a three-game losing streak against the spread as underdogs. They are currently 11-12 straight up as underdogs and 13-9 vs. the spread. On average, they have been outscored by 1.3 points per game as underdogs.
In their last game, the Cavaliers lost to the Heat by a score of 107-104. The O/U line for that game was 207.5, and Cleveland was favored by 3 points going into the game. This loss dropped their ATS record to 34-33 for the season.
So far this season, Cleveland has an O/U record of 32-36-1. In 64 of their games, the O/U line has been higher than today’s line of 210.5. On average, their games have finished with 222.8 points.
In the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers are currently in 3rd place with a record of 43-26. In their division, they are in 2nd place. On the road, the Cavaliers are 21-12, and they are 17-14 vs. the spread on the road.
So far this season, the Cavaliers have been one of the better three-point shooting teams in the league. They are 6th in the NBA in three-pointers made per game at 13.7. However, they are just 14th in three-point shooting percentage at 36%. Overall, Cleveland is 18th in the NBA in scoring at 113.4 points per game.
When it comes to their pace of play, the Cavaliers are 21st in the league at 97.3 possessions per game. In terms of field goal percentage, they have been an efficient team, ranking 14th in the NBA at 47%. Inside the arc, Cleveland is 10th in two-point shooting percentage at 56%.
So far this season, the Cavaliers have outscored the NBA scoring average in just 43.5% of their games. In terms of assists, they are 10th in the league at 27.8 per game. When it comes to free throws, Cleveland is 24th in both free throws made and attempted per game.
At this time, the Cavaliers’ defense is positioned 5th in the NBA, permitting 109.4 points per game. Opponents are hitting 52.1% of their two-point field goal attempts this season, and they’re also connecting on 35.8% of their three-point attempts.
In their games this season, Minnesota has had an average combined scoring total of 220 points, which is higher than today’s O/U line of 210.5. On average, their games have had an O/U line of 222 points.
This season, the Timberwolves have gone 35-34 on the O/U, and 66 of their 69 games have had higher O/U lines than today’s. In their last game against the Nuggets, the teams combined for 227 points, which was well above the O/U line of 215.5.
Against the spread, Minnesota has covered in four straight games and has an overall ATS record of 35-33. At home, they are 15-17 ATS compared to 20-16 on the road.
Minnesota’s last game was a 115-112 loss to the Nuggets. They covered the spread as 7.5-point underdogs. This loss dropped the Timberwolves to 47-22 on the season, which is 3rd in the Western Conference.
In non-conference games, the Timberwolves have gone 14-10 compared to 33-12 against the West. Today, they are favored by 5.5 points and have a 39-14 record as the favorite.
At home, the Timberwolves have been averaging 111.7 points per game, which is 23rd in the NBA. Overall, they are 20th in scoring at 113.3 points per game. In terms of pace, Minnesota is 22nd in the league at 97.2 possessions per game.
When it comes to shooting, the Timberwolves are 10th in field goal percentage at 48%. From beyond the arc, they are 4th in the NBA at 38%. However, they are just 16th in three-point makes per game.
So far, Minnesota has outscored the league average in 44.9% of their games. In terms of free throws, they are 11th in makes and 10th in attempts. In terms of offensive rebounds, the Timberwolves are 25th in the NBA.
Not only do the Timberwolves’ overall defensive numbers look good, as they are 1st in the league in points allowed. Minnesota has also been playing well on defense of late, ranking 20th in the league over their last three games at 106.3 PPG allowed. In their previous matchup vs. the Nuggets, the Timberwolves’ defense struggled, giving up a field goal percentage of 51% leading to 115 points.
In spite of being 5.5 point underdogs, we anticipate the Cavaliers winning this one 112-111.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Tips
- We like the Cavaliers on the moneyline (+199)
- The Cavaliers are also our pick on the spread at +5.5
- Projecting a combined 223 points, we like the over
Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report
- Rudy Gobert – Rib – Questionable
- Karl-Anthony Towns – Knee – Out
- Naz Reid – Head – Questionable
- Anthony Edwards – Dislocated Finger – Questionable
- Jaylen Clark – Achilles – Out
Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report
- Donovan Mitchell – Nose – Out
- Ty Jerome – Ankle – Out
- Dean Wade – Knee – Out
- Max Strus – Knee – Out
- Evan Mobley – Ankle – Out
