The Minnesota Timberwolves (11-19) welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers (9-22) to Target Center. The Timberwolves will try to snap an eight-game home losing streak. The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Ohio at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 28, 2019.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Odds
The Timberwolves won a close one over the Sacramento Kings in their last outing, 105-104, despite being 7-point underdogs. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, were defeated by the Boston Celtics, 129-117, and were not able to cover as 2-point underdogs. The Minnesota game went 11 points under the projected point total of 220, while the Cleveland game finished 14 points over the projected point total of 232.
The Timberwolves made 23 of their 29 free throws (79.3 percent) and held the Kings to an effective field goal percentage of 0.388 (below their season average of 0.521). Cleveland, on the other hand, had a free throw rate of 0.235 (above their season average of 0.173). Minnesota’s Gorgui Dieng had a good game, putting up 21 points and 15 rebounds. Cleveland rallied around Kevin Love, who had 30 points and seven rebounds.
The Timberwolves dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the last matchup, Minnesota won 102-95. The Timberwolves’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Cavaliers. Minnesota had a rate of 7.8, while Cleveland posted a mark of 14.8. This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Cavaliers games, with 16 unders compared to 14 overs. Cleveland comes into the game with records of 9-22 straight up (SU) and 12-16-2 against the spread (ATS).
In opposition of Cleveland, just over half of Timberwolves games have finished over the total. Additionally, Minnesota owns records of 11-19 SU and 11-17-2 ATS.
The Cavaliers’ Cedi Osman has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 14 points per game. Meanwhile, Dieng has averaged 12 points,7.8 rebounds,1.2 steals during that same time frame for the Timberwolves.
A focal point for the Minnesota offense is getting to the free throw line. The Timberwolves rank fifth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.223), but Cleveland is among the best in the NBA at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking first by yielding a FTA rate of 0.151).
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Timberwolves rank 15th in assists allowed per game (24.1) while the Cavaliers rank 27th (25.9).
- Minnesota ranks fifth in blocks per game (6.1) while Cleveland ranks last (3.4).
- The Timberwolves rank ninth in steals per game (8.1) while the Cavaliers rank 29th in steals allowed per game (8.6).
- Minnesota ranks ninth in fast break points allowed per game (12.5) while Cleveland ranks 28th (16.0).
- Minnesota ranks fourth in three pointers attempted per game (38.8) while Cleveland ranks 20th (32.2).
- The Cavaliers rank sixth in rebounds allowed per game (43.5) while the Timberwolves rank 28th (47.8).
- The Cavaliers rank 11th in second chance points allowed per game (12.7) while the Timberwolves rank 29th (15.1).
- Minnesota ranks 22nd in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.1) while Cleveland ranks 28th (19.2).
- Minnesota averages 49.6 points in the paint per game, which ranks sixth in the league. Cleveland ranks 27th in points allowed in the paint per game (52.6).
- When holding opponents under 100 points, Minnesota is 1-0 and Cleveland is 3-3.
- When reaching 100 points, the Cavaliers are 9-13 and the Timberwolves are 11-14.
- Minnesota is 2-10-1 ATS at home, while Cleveland is 5-8-1 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 8 of the Cavaliers’ 14 road games, while 7 of the Timberwolves’ 13 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Timberwolves are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Cavaliers are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Minnesota has 5 unders, while Cleveland has 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Timberwolves’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.4, up from 3.9 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 113.0 points per game (8.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 117.0 points per game (3.0 above their season average).
