Cleveland Cavaliers (40-22) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (43-19)
Game Info: Friday, March 8, 2024 at 7:30 pm (Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse)
Betting Odds: Cleveland Cavaliers +1.5 -- Over/Under: 209 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers collide at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Friday night. Here’s a Timberwolves vs Cavs Prediction.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been in great shape as they've won nine of their last 12 games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight win after sneaking past the Pacers in a 113-111 road win last night. Anthony Edwards led the team with 44 points on 18 of 35 shooting, Rudy Gobert added 18 points with 14 rebounds and three blocks while Naz Reid chipped in with 13 points off the bench. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 46 percent from the field and seven of 25 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates to an early 17-point lead, but it wasn't exactly smooth sailing as they were close to losing this one with the Pacers rallying all the way back to almost steal the game in the final seconds. The Timberwolves will take on the Lakers after this one.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been in decent form as they've split their last eight games, but they will be hoping to bounce back here after getting routed by the Hawks in a 112-101 road loss on Wednesday. Jarrett Allen led the team with 18 points, 19 rebounds and three assists, Isaac Okoro added 17 points while Darius Garland chipped in with 15 points and seven assists. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 43 percent from the field and 10 of 44 from the 3-point line as they exploded for 40 points in the third quarter to erase an early 21-point deficit, only to go ice-cold and manage just 12 points in the fourth quarter to allow the Hawks off the hook in the end. Sam Merrill had a night to forget as he finished with just one points on zero of nine shooting from the field.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for Q2 opponent points per game this season (26.5).
- The Cavaliers rank 2nd in the league for opponent points per game this season (109.5).
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (106.5).
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (44.6%).
Timberwolves vs Cavs Prediction
The Timberwolves are shorthanded here with Monte Morris and Karl-Anthony Towns both out, while the Cavaliers are still missing Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus and Evan Mobley. The Timberwolves have continued their strong form despite the injury to Towns, while the Cavaliers are starting to slow down with players like Mitchell and Strus injured. I would be tempted to take the Cavaliers if we were getting more free points, but with the line so short, I'm going with the Timberwolves to continue their strong run with another win and cover here.