The Minnesota Timberwolves (13-21) will travel to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to go head-to-head against the Cleveland Cavaliers (10-25). The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 5, 2020.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds
In the Timberwolves’ last matchup, they were victorious over the Golden State Warriors, 99-84, easily covering as 3-point favorites. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, were beaten by the Oklahoma City Thunder, 121-106, and failed to cover as 2-point underdogs. The Minnesota game went 28.5 points under the projected point total of 211.5, while the Cleveland game finished 15 points over the projected point total of 212.
Minnesota dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a solid offensive rebounding percentage of 32.1 (above their season average of 22.5) and a turnover percentage of 10.5 (better than their season average of 12.4). Golden State was 16.7 and 15.6, respectively, for those same stats. Cleveland, meanwhile, was lights out from beyond the arc (14-30; 46.7 percent). Collin Sexton led the way for Cleveland, recording 30 points and five rebounds. Robert Covington, meanwhile played a key role for Minnesota with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Tristan Thompson led the Cavaliers to a 94-88 win. He recorded a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Cleveland covered as a 7-point underdog and the two teams combined to score 182 points, which was well under the projected point total of 217. One of Cleveland’s biggest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They had 36 free throw attempts, while Minnesota had just 19.
Vegas is extremely precise when predicting totals of Timberwolves games, with an even split between overs and unders. Minnesota comes into the contest with records of 13-21 straight up (SU) and 14-18-2 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Cavaliers’ 34 games with betting action, 18 have finished under the projected point total. Additionally, Cleveland owns records of 10-25 SU and 14-18-2 ATS.
This contest should be a battle of conflicting styles. Minnesota has preferred a fast-breaking style of play (first in possessions per game), while Cleveland has been more half-court-oriented (20th in possessions per game).
Minnesota Timberwolves at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Cavaliers rank 14th in second chance points per game (13.1) while the Timberwolves rank 24th in second chance points allowed per game (14.5).
- Minnesota ranks fourth in steals per game (8.4) while Cleveland ranks 29th in steals allowed per game (8.6).
- The Timberwolves rank 10th in points in the paint per game (48.6) while the Cavaliers rank 29th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.8).
- Minnesota ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (39.2) while Cleveland ranks 20th (32.0).
- Minnesota ranks 12th in assists allowed per game (23.6) while Cleveland ranks 26th (25.7).
- The Timberwolves rank fifth in blocks per game (6.3) while the Cavaliers rank 29th in blocks allowed per game (6.7).
- The Timberwolves rank 10th in fast break points allowed per game (12.4) while the Cavaliers rank 27th (15.4).
- Minnesota ranks 19th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.5) while Cleveland ranks 28th (19.5).
- Cleveland ranks sixth in rebounds allowed per game (43.6) while Minnesota ranks last (48.7).
- Minnesota is 2-1 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Cleveland is 4-3.
- The Timberwolves are 12-15 when they reach the century mark, while the Cavaliers are 9-15.
- Cleveland is 7-9-1 ATS at home, while Minnesota is 10-7-1 ATS on the road.
- Of the Timberwolves’ 18 road games, they have 9 overs and 9 unders.
- Of the Cavaliers’ 17 home games, they have 10 unders and 7 overs.
Bettings Trends:
- The Timberwolves are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Cavaliers are 3-2.
- In their last five games, Minnesota has 4 unders and 1 over, while Cleveland has 3 overs and 2 unders.
- During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 103.6 points per game (8.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 100.6 points per game (14.0 below their season average).
- The Cavaliers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 8.8, down from 9.0 for the season.
