Two teams with contrasting storylines will hook up tonight in Cleveland when LeBron James and the struggling Cavaliers host the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are on their best run of the season. If you turned on a computer, smartphone or television yesterday, you were likely inundated with the media having a complete field day with the Charles Barkley vs LeBron fiasco. The off-the-court drama might be overshadowing the fact that Cleveland’s lead atop the Eastern Conference has slipped to 2.5 games over the Celtics, so the team will be desperate for a W tonight.
- Andrew Wiggins has averaged 28.8 points in four games vs the Cavaliers.
- The Cavaliers are 20-8 SU in their last 28 games after losing as a favorite.
- The Timberwolves are 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS in their last four games against the Cavaliers.
All eyes will be on King James tonight, but don’t let that divert your focus from a T-Wolves team that’s won five of its last six games and seven of the last 10. Despite playing their best hoops of the season, the T-Wolves have been a lousy bet, covering just once in their last five games to go along with an 8-14 ATS road record on the season. Given their struggles on the road, It's worth considering that the T-Wolves have been overvalued by oddsmakers all season, so tonight might be a prime opportunity to fade them.
The Cavs have been on the receiving end of some ugly losses recently, dropping games to the lottery-bound Mavericks, Pelicans and Kings. Not only have their fans been seeing red, but their backers are deep in the red after a brutal January that saw them go just 3-12 ATS. A quick look at the monthly splits shows that poor defense is likely the culprit for Cleveland’s woes as the 108 points the Cavs allowed per game in January is their highest of any month this season.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had the Cleveland Cavaliers installed as -9-point favorites in this particular NBA matchup. The over-under betting line for the total number of point scored was listed by most sportsbooks, including Sportsbook, at 215.5.
Odds Shark prediction models pick the Cavaliers to win this game 110-108. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavaliers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Cleveland Cavaliers currently sport a record of 32-15, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 19-26-2 ATS. The Minnesota Timberwolves are 19-29 and 21-27 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Cavaliers post a 25-21-1 OVER/UNDER record this season, while the Timberwolves have gone 22-25-1 against the total number of points scored. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Cleveland vs Minnesota injuries news.
The Odds Shark betting Power Rankings have the Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 11 and the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 8 heading into this NBA contest.
Statistical Matchup
In rebounding, the battle of the boards features Cleveland's No. 9-rated NBA squad against Minnesota's No. 20-rated roster. When it comes to long-range shooting, Cleveland rates No. 2 in the league with 12.77 per game, while their foes tonight rank No. 28 with 7.94 per outing.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 23 points and chipped in with 23 rebounds for Minnesota on Monday, leading the Timberwolves to a 111-105 victory over Orlando at Target Center.
Cleveland got 23 points from LeBron James but lost anyway 104-97 against the Mavericks on Monday at American Airlines Center.
- Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Minnesota is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
- Cleveland is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
- Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games
- Cleveland is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Minnesota at Detroit, Friday, February 3rd
Cleveland at New York, Saturday, February 4th
