We’ll see how the Cavs stack up against one of the most complete teams in the league.
The Cleveland Cavaliers start a two-game home-and-home series with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday evening.
The Timberwolves are playing good basketball right now. They’ve won three straight and seven of their last 10 games.
Minnesota has also been one of the most complete teams in the NBA this season. They’re inside the top six in net, offensive, and defensive ratings. They’re just one of three teams that can say that. Those numbers have historically indicated that a team is a true title contender.
This brief two-game series should serve as a good measuring stick for where the Cavs stand as a team.
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Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (21-17) at Minnesota Timberwolves (24-13)
Where: Target Center – Minneapolis, MN
When: Thursday, Jan. 8 at 8 pm
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network App, NBA League Pass
Point spread: Timberwolves -3
Cavs injury report: Jaylon Tyson – PROBABLE (illness), Dean Wade – OUT (knee), Larry Nance Jr. – QUESTIONABLE (calf), Max Strus – OUT (foot), Chris Livingston – OUT (G League), Luke Travers – OUT (G League)
Timberwolves injury report: Enrique Freeman – OUT (G League), Terrence Shannon Jr. – OUT (foot), Rocco Zikarsky – OUT (G League)
Cavs expectedstarting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Timberwolves expected starting lineup: Donte DiVincenzo, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert
Previous matchup: The Cavs defeated the Timberwolves 128-107 last Feb. in De’Andre Hunter’s Cavs debut
Here’s a look at both teams’ impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.
| Offensive Rating | Defensive Rating | Net Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavs | 117 (10th) | 114.5 (11th) | +2.5 (12th) |
| Timberwolves | 118.8 (6th) | 112.5 (4th) | +6.3 (5th) |
Category: General Sports