| MATCHUP | Cleveland Cavaliers | Minnesota Timberwolves |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 21-18 | 25-13 |
| Where | Target Center, Minneapolis, MN | |
| When | Thursday, January 8, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EST | |
| TV | FanDuel SN OH | |
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves meet Thursday in NBA action at the Target Center. Here’s a Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction. This article will include a Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Pacers, lost to the Pistons, and they play the Timberwolves next. The Cavs have won 4 of their last 5 games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 119.2 points on 46.6 percent shooting and allowing 116.8 points on 46.1 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 29.8 points and 5.4 assists, while Evan Mobley is averaging 17.7 points and 4 assists. Darius Garland is the third double-digit scorer and De’Andre Hunter is grabbing 4.3 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 35.1 percent from beyond the arc and 78 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 37.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.1 rebounds per game.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Heat and Wizards, and they play the Cavs next. The Timberwolves have won 14 of their last 19 games.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are averaging 119.6 points on 48 percent shooting and allowing 114.1 points on 45.6 percent shooting. Anthony Edwards is averaging 29.4 points and 5 rebounds, while Julius Randle is averaging 22.3 points and 5.7 assists. Jaden McDaniels is the third double-digit scorer, and Naz Reid is grabbing 6.2 rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves are shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 76.2 percent from the free-throw line. The Minnesota Timberwolves are allowing 35 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.8 rebounds per game.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won seven of their last eight night games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Cavaliers have lost four of their last five road games following a win.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 night games following a road win.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last four night games.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Timberwolves have lost six of their last seven games against Central Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cavaliers have won five of their last six road games against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in four of the Cavaliers’ last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Timberwolves’ last nine games at Target Center have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of the Cavaliers’ last seven road games against Northwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Julius Randle is one of only two players in the league to have recorded 12+ assists without a turnover in a game this season.
- Anthony Edwards is one of only four players in the league to have scored 30+ points in five straight games this season.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts
- Darius Garland ranks 2nd in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (89.7%) this season.
- Evan Mobley ranks 5th amongst qualified players for blocks per game (1.8) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Timberwolves rank 2nd in the league for Q4 points per game this season (29.6).
- The Timberwolves rank 3rd in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (4.0).
- The Cavaliers rank 1st in the league for H2 points per game this season (61.4).
- The Cavaliers rank 30th in the league for Q2 win percentage this season (28.9%).
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report
The Timberwolves will be without Terrence Shannon Jr.
The Cavs will be without Max Strus and Dean Wade. Larry Nance Jr. is questionable.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
The Cavaliers are coming off a decent week where they’re winning games, but they’re still just 11-27 ATS on the season. You should not be backing the Cavs. I’ve said many times before that the Timberwolves often play with their food, and they’re not a team I want in the big favorite role, but we’re not being asked to lay anything crazy here. This line is soft, and the Timberwolves have covered each of their last 5 wins. The winner has also covered 9 of the last 10 games between the Timberwolves and Cavs. I’ll lay the bucket with the home team.