In past seasons, the phrase “big NBA game” wouldn’t necessarily involve the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, with about a month remaining before the start of the playoffs, such is the case Friday night.
It’s unfortunate, but both clubs figure to be at less than full strength in this game (see below).
Minnesota has been at or near the top of the West all season long, and (through Wednesday) with a record of 43-19, it co-owned the conference lead with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Something was going to change, as the Timberwolves had a Thursday night date against the Pacers in Indianapolis.
Minny ended a two-game slide with a 119-114 home win over the pesky Portland Trail Blazers.
Cleveland is 40-22 through the first 62 games, third in the East, and (again, through Wednesday) a half-game behind the Milwaukee Bucks. Both teams are chasing the runaway Boston Celtics. Cleveland ended the Celtics’ 11-game win streak earlier this week when Dean Wade (huh?) scored 20 points in the final quarter. It was a game where the Cavs closed with a 34-11 run.
Cleveland succumbed, 112-101, to the Hawks in Atlanta Wednesday, as the Cavs won the third quarter, 40-23, then lost the final quadrant, 25-12. Go figure.
It’s the first of two games between the teams this season, with the change of venue occurring March 22nd in Minneapolis.
Lines aren’t available, but once posted, please refer to NBA odds.
Timberwolves and Cavaliers Odds By Betus
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timberwolves | +1 ( -110 ) | 207½ ( -110 ) | EV |  |
| Cavaliers | -1 ( -110 ) | 207½ ( -110 ) | -120 | |
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Wolves Without Towns
It’s not all sunshine and Skittles with the Minnesota Timberwolves, now without All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns suffered a torn meniscus (left knee) and is sidelined indefinitely, beginning with the aforementioned Thursday night road encounter with the Indiana Pacers.
Towns (22.1 points, 8.4 rebounds per game) is obviously one of the main reasons Minnesota has enjoyed its success this season, and any prolonged absence won’t help the team’s seeding ahead of the postseason.
Anthony Edwards (26.1 points/game) remains the leading scorer on the team, though two sub-par games (11 points against the Sacramento Kings, 13 against the Portland Trail Blazers) season in his last three. Edwards missed the opening tip of the Blazer game due to “distraction,” but was subbed in after a half-minute.
Rudy Gobert (13.8 points, 12.8 rebounds/game) is second in the league in rebounds.
Those Injured Cavs
While injuries impact every team in the NBA at some point during the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are currently experiencing some tough times.
All-Star Donovan Mitchell (‘wear and tear’), Evan Mobley (sprained ankle) are both currently shelved, and Max Strus (strained knee) might be AWOL, too.
Numbers don’t lie, as the Cavs were limited to 95 (loss to New York Knicks), 105 (win against Boston Celtics) and 101 points (loss to Atlanta Hawks), respectively, in the last three.
Mitchell’s 28 points per game and Mobley’s tenacious defense are a tough ‘daily double’ to miss if you’re the Cavs. Darius Garland (18.2 points/game) becomes the go=to option on offense.
Minnesota Cruises Past Cavaliers
Minnesota was listed at 8-1 (+800) to win the West, Cleveland at 19-2 +(950) to win the East, per NBA betting conference odds.
Ironically, these teams (through Wednesday) ranked right next to one another in scoring, Cleveland 18th (114 points per game), Minnesota was 19th (113.3 points/game).
As was mentioned, the infirmed are a bigger storyline than those players actually on the court. The latter is led by Anthony Edwards, giving the Minnesota Timberwolves more of a legit scoring than what Cleveland Cavaliers can offer in this game.
That may prove sufficient in a game with a presumed tight point spread (Wolves tepid choice)?
Take the road side here, as the Minnesota Timberwolves enter healthier, and better.
