Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Can Timberwolves snap their losing streak?

NBA betting can cause a lot of confusion because you never know which squad can be cold and which squad has some players stepping up for a big night. You can see the odds for the spread, for the total, and yes, credit to bookmakers, many times they nail the odds. But many times, those odds are blown to dust, like when a 30% win team like Spurs beat a 90% win team like the Warriors, that is how tricky it is to bet in the NBA. Anyway, to rack our brains further in the betting affair, the Minnesota Timberwolves host the Cleveland Cavaliers. For a simple overview, visit “Notes”. For the discussion on Total, go see the “Expert Betting Tips’.

Offensive comparisons

Cavaliers offense

Cleveland has scored in the 108-116 points range in four of the last five games. Cleveland’s offense has improved considerably and the unit is meshing well on that end. Ironically, it seems like Sexton's absence has improved the ball movement and the team is getting higher percentage shots. There is another reason for the improved performance, Darius Garland has been a prolific playmaker, dishing around 7-10 assists consistently while Darius has also scored 24-33 points at a regular rate.

With Allen, the team gets high-quality paint offense while Lauri Markkanen is an excellent perimeter shooter, Evan Mobley can also like Allen, score inside. WIth a bench containing of Kevin Love and Ricky Rubion, the Cavaliers get more of the playmaking and scoring, really, the team is well-balanced on the offensive end and has one of the deepest Forward-Center lineups.

Timberwolves offense

Minnesota has been decent on offense, usually figuring in the 100-107 points range, but there has been one huge downside. The team’s defense was good enough early in the season to hold teams around that mark but right now the defense has dwindled and the offense is not meeting that demand. That is one of the reasons why they have lost four in a row. See, when you give up a ton of points and are in shootout situations, you can’t afford to score this less. Minnesota has lost the earlier established identity of being an elite defensive squad.

Cavaliers defense

See, I know championships, wins, records matter but I don’t look at things that way. I can’t help but measure Cleveland in terms of the effort more than what the record says, this is the same way I look at a team like San Antonio Spurs by the way. Cleveland has done a wonderful job on defense and has held teams between 90-100 points range continuously while they even restricted a Jazz team that has been lumping up 120 these days to 109 in a close affair. It seems like the three bigs in the lineup in Mobley, Allen, and Markkanen along with a pesky Okoro have helped bolster the defense both inside and outside. The Cavs keep it tight on defense and that is one of the reasons why their rise has been pleasant to watch.

Timberwolves defense

Minnesota used to be a dependable defensive squad before Patrick Beverley’s injury. At that time, the squad was allowing just 30% or so from the three-point line. Now the team has given away around 40% or so from three regularly in the last 9-10 but perhaps since Beverley is back, that end can get more help. Minnesota’s defense has taken a hit and the team has given around points in 110s, 120s, 130s quite a lot recently. It is clear that a team that has only scored 101-107 can’t keep up with a vulnerable defense.

Notes

Here are some quick hitters related to the game:

• Timberwolves have scored 104, 110, 105, 107, 100 in the last five games;
• Timberwolves have allowed 136, 121, 110, 115, 98 in the last five games;
• Cavaliers have scored 115, 104, 108, 116, 111 in the last five games;
• Cavaliers have allowed 92, 112, 109, 101, 85 in the last five games;
• Cavaliers have won eight games and lost five games away from home;
• Timberwolves have won seven and lost eight games at home. They have lost the last two games at home;
• Darius Garland has scored 24 or more in three of the last four games;
• Karl Anthony has scored 22 or more in the last two games;
• Jarrett Allen has usually grabbed 10-15 rebounds a game;
• Anthony Edwards has scored in the 18-25 points range in the last five games;
• Collin Sextion remain out for the Cavaliers till the end of the season;
• D’Angelo Russell is questionable for the Timberwolves;
• Do go through injury reports before placing stakes.

Expert Betting tips

Points Range: Gee, ain’t it fun? Discussing the points total! Let me see. The Timberwolves get around 100-107 points these days and guess what, the Cleveland defense can even achieve that harder. The team is on a four-game skid so the Timberwolves will need a strong effort. I think the Cavaliers are in a great touch these days and I will settle for a 108-114 points range for them. Overall, I think the points tally can add up to 210-220 points.

Prediction: See, with their recent forms, obviously, you give the Cavs an edge, as the team has pushed even elite squads to the brink. But don’t you feel that the Timberwolves are due a win after losing four in a row? However, I am not convinced by the Timberwolves these days and I think the Cavs are a safer bet with the scoreline of 112:102.

Betting Options

• W2 for 2.06;
• Point Spread: Cleveland Cavaliers +1 for 1.90;
• Player Props: Player Points: Darius Garland Over 19.5 for 1.90.