The Minnesota Timberwolves wrap up their five-game homestand with a challenging road trip to face the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Monday night. Both teams are riding strong performances, setting the stage for an intense matchup between Western Conference playoff hopefuls and Eastern Conference leaders.
This will be the second meeting between these teams in 2024, with Cleveland emerging victorious in their last encounter on January 19, securing a 124-117 win at the Target Center.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Eastern Conference Dominance
The Cavaliers head into Monday’s game in stellar form after defeating the Washington Wizards 134-124 at the Capital One Arena. That victory extended Cleveland's remarkable streak to 12 consecutive wins against Washington, a run dating back to December 2021.
Despite playing their third game in four days, Cleveland overcame a sluggish start and an eight-point deficit early in the game. Their resurgence was powered by a strong fourth quarter, highlighted by a 7-0 run that flipped the momentum. Donovan Mitchell led the scoring with 33 points on 46% shooting, while Evan Mobley and Darius Garland contributed 27 and 23 points, respectively.
Kenny Atkinson’s squad has been in formidable form recently, winning six of their last seven games. Their only loss came on February 5 in a tight 112-105 contest against the Milwaukee Bucks. With a 42-10 record, the Cavaliers sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, holding a comfortable six-game lead over the Boston Celtics.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Playoff Push in Full Swing
The Timberwolves continue their pursuit of playoff basketball with back-to-back wins against the Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls. Their latest triumph, a 127-114 victory over Houston on Friday night, showcased their resilience and star power.
Anthony Edwards has been the driving force behind Minnesota’s recent success. After dropping 49 points against the Bulls, the 21-year-old followed up with a 41-point, seven-rebound, and six-assist performance against the Rockets. Edwards’ late-game heroics, including six straight points in the fourth quarter, helped the Timberwolves pull away for their 14th home win of the season.
Chris Finch’s side has posted a 7-2 record in their last nine outings, with their only two losses coming by slim margins to the Wizards (105-103) and Sacramento Kings (116-114). Currently 29-23 for the season, Minnesota sits sixth in the Western Conference standings, narrowly holding onto an automatic playoff berth ahead of the seventh-placed Los Angeles Clippers.
Team News
The Cavaliers were active during the trade deadline, acquiring De’Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Caris LeVert and Georges Niang. While Hunter missed the win over Washington as he completed his medical, he is expected to be available on Monday night.
On the injury front, Cleveland will be without Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade, who are nursing shoulder and knee injuries, respectively. Sam Merrill is listed as doubtful due to personal reasons.
For the Timberwolves, injuries remain a concern. Jesse Edwards (ankle), Julius Randle (groin), and Donte DiVincenzo (toe) are unavailable, while veteran guard Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards are questionable with finger and hip issues, respectively.
Probable Starting Lineups
Cleveland Cavaliers:Garland, Mitchell, Allen, Strus, Mobley
Minnesota Timberwolves:Conley, Edwards, Gobert, McDaniels, Reid
Prediction
The Cavaliers have been nearly unstoppable at home this season, and their current form only strengthens their case as favorites. While the Timberwolves boast a red-hot Anthony Edwards and a strong recent record, Cleveland’s depth and dominance on their home court give them the edge in this matchup.
Prediction: Cavaliers to win by 5+ points.
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