Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | -3 |
| Timberwolves Odds | +3 |
| Over/Under | 222.5 |
| Date | Sat, Jan. 14 |
| Time | 8:00 p.m. |
| TV | BSOH |
Tonight, the Cleveland Cavaliers will conclude a five-game road trip when they meet the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. Cleveland has split the first four games of the trip, beating the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers, but losing to the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz. Minnesota has won five of their last six contests, with their lone defeat coming in the Motor City to the Detroit Pistons. In this matchup, oddsmakers are anticipating a competitive game script, pricing the Cavaliers as 3-point road favorites on the spread.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell listed as questionable
Entering play, Cleveland is 25-13 with Donovan Mitchell in the lineup, but only 2-3 when he is in street clothes. Per Cleaning the Glass, the team ranks in the 65th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 80th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the floor, compared to the 57th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 86th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
Who will step up for Cleveland if Mitchell is out?
Per CourtIQ, Jarrett Allen sees the largest increase in usage (+7.2%) when Mitchell is not on the floor. In such situations, Allen is averaging 21.6 points per 36 minutes of action. In four games without Mitchell this year, Allen has totaled 23 points, nine points, 21 points, and 13 points, respectively.
Darius Garland is also a candidate to see an increased workload. When his co-star is absent, Garland is averaging 25.4 points and 7.5 assists per 36 minutes. On November 13, with Mitchell on the sidelines, Garland erupted for 51 points in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards listed as questionable
Per Cleaning the Glass, the Timberwolves rank in the 64th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 49th percentile in defensive efficiency this season with Anthony Edwards on the floor, compared to the 6th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 70th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
Who will step up for Minnesota if Edwards is out?
Edwards is the only member of the Minnesota roster to have not missed a game this season, but lingering hip soreness could force him to miss a contest at some point. Per CourtIQ, D’Angelo Russell would likely be the biggest beneficiary if Edwards is ruled out this evening. In 221 minutes with Edwards off of the court this year, Russell is averaging 19.5 points and 7.8 assists per 36 minutes of action.
Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves – Picks & Predictions
Bettors should wait to bet on this game until the status of both Donovan Mitchell and Anthony Edwards is confirmed. However, if looking to get ahead of the market in this spot, the under could be a worthwhile afternoon investment.
Per Cleaning the Glass, both of these offensive attacks become far less efficient when their leading scorer is not on the floor, with Minnesota’s offense scoring only 106.7 points per 100 possessions. If Mitchell is out for the final game of the road trip, Cleveland will be down one of their two primary playmakers, facing a Timberwolves defense that has been playing better of late.
Do not bet the house, but a low-scoring affair could be in-store this evening in Minneapolis.
PICK: Under 222.5 (-110, Caesars)
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