This week has not been a fruitful one for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers have lost their last three games at the LA Clippers, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors to conclude their first lengthy road trip of the 2022-23 season.
The group did previously win eight straight contests, so it wasn’t the end of the world. It was just disappointing that in these last three contests, or at least two of them at the Clips and at the Warriors, Cleveland should’ve gotten the job done.
The Clippers roared back in the closing minutes on Monday, and largely because of Stephen Curry going nuclear in the fourth quarter, Cleveland let one slip away on Friday. It’s been difficult to see the Cavs let games get away late.
This is still mostly a young group, though, and Darius Garland is still finding his rhythm coming off injury and sickness more so of late. These things happen, and it’s very early in the campaign.
So, next up, will we see the Cavaliers rebound on Sunday versus the Minnesota Timberwolves at home? We’ll weigh in on that here, and examine the odds and injury outlook for this matchup between two squads who have been underwhelming recently.
Cavaliers-Timberwolves: Odds, spread and over/under
Per FanDuel, the Cavaliers are favored by 5 points over the Timberwolves on Sunday. The moneyline for Cleveland is -200 and for Minnesota is +168. The over/under is set for 222.5.
Cavaliers-Timberwolves: Injury report
Cavs injuries: Ricky Rubio (out, knee); Dylan Windler (out, ankle); Donovan Mitchell (questionable, ankle); Jarrett Allen (questionable, ankle); Dean Wade (questionable, knee).
Timberwolves injuries: Naz Reid (out, illness); Josh Minott and Wendell Moore Jr. (out, G-League – on assignment).
Cavaliers-Timberwolves: Projected starting lineups
Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell/Isaac Okoro, Caris LeVert, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen/Robin Lopez
Timberwolves starters: D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert
Cavaliers-Timberwolves: Prediction
The Cavaliers are favored by that five-point mark currently here, which seems to be a pretty significant spread, and given the amount of Cavs banged up, I’m not sure about that one.
Granted, the Timberwolves have had a tough go of late, having lost five of six games, and on the season, are 5-8. However, with Mitchell’s ankle strain late at the Warriors on Friday, and with Allen being questionable with ankle soreness, that has me feeling somewhat questionable on the prediction.
Sure, those guys could play, but maybe it’s more likely we see them next in action to come mid-next week instead for added rest.
Whether or not those players are in on Sunday, though, despite the Wolves’ struggles in making the Rudy Gobert experiment work thus far, this could be a tough matchup defensively, also with Dean Wade questionable with knee soreness, for what it’s worth.
Still, I do feel as if Cedi Osman is due to go off to some extent here, and whether or not Mitchell plays, I expect to see Garland have a get-right game. And even with their being problems this week to conclude the road trip for the Cavaliers on defense, the Wolves have had their share of defensive issues, and I think the Cavs get their man and ball movement back consistently throughout this one.
With some uncertainties, I am going with the Cavaliers to get the W in the first game between Mitchell and Gobert as opponents since they were teammates on the Utah Jazz, but I’ll go with Minnesota to cover. From there, I’ll go with the over here.
Prediction: Cavs 115, Timberwolves 111
The Bet: Timberwolves (+5), OVER
Cavaliers-Timberwolves: How to watch/stream
For fans in the respective markets and with the said options, Bally Sports Ohio, Bally Sports Midwest, Bally Sports Kansas City and Bally Sports Arizona will have this one. For fans out of market and/or without those options, NBA League Pass should have this contest.
For a streaming option, test out FuboTV here, with a free trial!
Cavaliers upcoming schedule:
Following this Sunday evening game versus the TWolves, the Cavs will play the 10-2 Milwaukee Bucks on the road on Wednesday, and then begin a four-game homestand versus the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.
After that one, Cleveland will host the Miami Heat next Sunday.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.