The Cleveland Cavaliers (43-26) travel to face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves (47-22) on Friday, March 22nd. This game will be played at Target Center in Minneapolis and televised on BSN. Both the Cavaliers and Timberwolves will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip off is scheduled for 8:00 ET.
Cavaliers vs Timberwolves
The Cavaliers Look To Bounce Back From A Loss
In their most recent matchup, the Cavaliers conveyed a message to the Heat with a score of 107-104. The Cavaliers not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread as -3 point favorites. The over/under line for this matchup was set at 207.5 points, and the teams managed to exceed that total.
So far this season, the Cavaliers are 43-26 overall and have gone 1-2 in their last three games. At home, they are 22-14 compared to 21-12 on the road.
Cleveland comes in with an overall ATS record of 34-33 so far this season. Currently, the Cavaliers are on a three game ATS win streak when they are underdogs, and they are 21-24 vs. the spread as favorites.
The Timberwolves Look To Bounce Back From A Loss
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 30 points against the Nuggets, the highest on the team. He finished with a field goal percentage of 47.7% in the game. Jaden McDaniels finished 2nd on the team with 26 points, but Minnesota ended the game with a 115-112 loss.
So far this season, the Timberwolves have an overall record of 47-22 and are 2-1 in their last three games. When playing against Western Conference teams, they are 33-12 and have gone 14-10 in non-conference games.
Against the spread, Minnesota have an above .500 record vs. the spread sitting at 35-33 ATS. Currently, the Timberwolves are on a two game ATS win streak when they are underdogs, and they are 25-27 vs. the spread as favorites.
Cavaliers Offense Breakdown
The Cavaliers come into today’s game as the 18th ranked scoring offense at 113.4 points per game.
So far this season, the Cavaliers are averaging 113.4 points per game, which is 18th in the NBA. However, when playing on the road, they are averaging 112.4 points per game.
When it comes to their offensive style, the Cavaliers are 21st in pace at 97.3 possessions per game. In terms of field goal percentage, they are 14th in the league at 47%.
One area where the Cavaliers have excelled is three-point shooting. 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%.
Timberwolves Offense Breakdown
The Timberwolves come into today’s game as the 20th ranked scoring offense at 113.3 points per game.
This season, the Timberwolves have been an above-average offensive team, ranking 20th in scoring at 113.3 points per game. However, they have been slightly better on the road, averaging 114.6 points compared to 111.7 at home.
So far, Minnesota has outscored the NBA scoring average in 44.9% of their games, and they are currently 10th in field goal percentage at 48%. In terms of pace, the Timberwolves are 22nd in the league at 97.2 possessions per game.
When it comes to three-point shooting, Minnesota is 4th in the NBA at 38%. However, they are just 24th in three-point attempts. In terms of free throws, the Timberwolves are 11th in makes and 10th in attempts.
Cavaliers Team Defense
In the current season, the Cavaliers defense has excelled, sitting 5th in the NBA by allowing 109.4 points per game. In the terms of takeaways, Cavaliers are causing 12.6 turnovers per game, ranking 15th in the league. They also enter the matchup ranked 20th in rejections, averaging 4.8 blocked shots each game.
Timberwolves Team Defense
So far, the Timberwolves’ defense is ranked 1st in the league at 106.7 points per contest. Minnesota’s defense is currently forcing 13.4 turnovers per game, which is 21st in the league. Additionally, they enter the game ranked 6th in blocked shots, with an average of 6.1 rejections per game.
Key Players For The Cavaliers And Timberwolves
Our game forecasts for today suggest that Darius Garland is set to be the main scorer for the Cavaliers, recording 18 points and shooting 6/14 from the field. This season, he is averaging 18.7 points per game along with 2.5 boards.
On the opposing side, we anticipate Anthony Edwards to be the top scorer for the Timberwolves. Our projection has him finishing the game with 26, and he is expected to secure 5 rebounds. Throughout the season, he has maintained a 46.7% field goal shooting rate and is averaging 26.7 points per game.
Cavaliers vs Timberwolves Trends
- Across their ten previous road games, Cleveland has an ATS mark of 5-5. Their straight up record in these matchups was 6-4 while averaging 110 points per game.
- Across their ten previous home games, Minnesota has an ATS mark of 8-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 8-2 while averaging 117 points per game.
- Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Cleveland has an ATS mark of 6-4 while going 5-5 straight up.
- In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Timberwolves have a straight up record of 7-3 and an ATS mark of 4-6.
Cavaliers vs Timberwolves Prediction
As the underdogs with a spread of +5.5, we recommend going with the Cavaliers on the point spread. We not only see them covering the spread but also have a strong likelihood of winning this one outright, especially if you’re seeking a higher payout on the moneyline.
Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 210.5 and given that our model is projecting 226 points between the teams, we like the over.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:March 22, 2024 Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves