The Cleveland Cavaliers (10-25) challenge the Minnesota Timberwolves (13-21) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 5, 2020, and will air on Fox Sports – Ohio.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Prediction
The last time the Timberwolves played, they comfortably covered the 3-point spread against the Golden State Warriors, 99-84. The game’s combined points (183) finished well under the O/U total of 211.5. The Timberwolves, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.5, had a solid mark of 32.1, while the Warriors had a turnover percentage of 15.6 (above their season average of 12.3). Minnesota received a boost from Robert Covington, who was the game’s high scorer with 20 points on 8-for-15 shooting.
The Cavaliers were beaten by the Oklahoma City Thunder in their last outing, 121-106, despite being 2-point favorites. The total points for the game (227) came in well over the O/U total of 212. Oklahoma City’s rebounding was their largest advantage. The Thunder had more offensive rebounds (18 vs. nine), defensive rebounds (34 vs. 33) and total rebounds (52 vs. 42). With 30 points on 12-for-22 shooting, Collin Sexton was the top scorer from either team.
This will be the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, the Timberwolves lost 94-88, unable to cover as 6.5-point favorites. Covington had 14 points and seven rebounds. The game finished with a total of 182 points, which was 35 points below the projected point total of 217 points. The Cavaliers made 26 of their 36 free throws (72.2 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (35.0 vs. 23.3).
Minnesota holds records of 13-21 straight up (SU) and 14-18-2 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Timberwolves have no tendency in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Cleveland owns records of 10-25 SU and 14-18-2 ATS. Just over half of Cavaliers games have finished under the total.
It will be a battle of conflicting styles as the up-tempo Timberwolves will look to push the more grind-it-out Cavaliers. The Timberwolves currently rank first in possessions per game while the Cavaliers are 20th.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Cleveland Cavaliers Free Pick
Free Prediction: ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Minnesota is 10-7-1 ATS on the road with 9 overs and 9 unders.
At home, Cleveland is 7-9-1 ATS with 10 unders and 7 overs.
In games where they allow less than 100 points, Minnesota is 2-1 and Cleveland is 4-3.
The Cavaliers are 9-15 when they score above 100 points, while the Timberwolves are 12-15.
Minnesota ranks fourth in steals per game (8.4) while Cleveland ranks 29th in steals allowed per game (8.6).
The Timberwolves rank fifth in blocks per game (6.3) while the Cavaliers rank 29th in blocks allowed per game (6.7).
Cleveland ranks sixth in rebounds allowed per game (43.6) while Minnesota ranks last (48.7).
The Timberwolves average 48.6 points in the paint per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. 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).
The Timberwolves rank 10th in fast break points allowed per game (12.4) while the Cavaliers rank 27th (15.4).
Minnesota ranks 12th in assists allowed per game (23.6) while Cleveland ranks 26th (25.7).
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 19th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.5) while Cleveland ranks 28th (19.5).
In its last five outings, Minnesota is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Cleveland is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Timberwolves have outscored opponents by an average of 3.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Minnesota has been defeated by an average of 3.0 points.
During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 104.0 points per game (0.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.8 points per game (0.6 below their season average).
