Update: Anthony Edwards (Injury Management) was listed as AVAILABLE
Inter-conference contenders kick off a two-game set on Thursday night, as the Minnesota Timberwolves host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Target Center.
The squads will meet again in “The Land” Saturday afternoon.
The Cavaliers (21–17, 7th East) have won six of their last nine games and are riding the momentum from a Tuesday triumph in Indianapolis. The Timberwolves (24–13, 5th West) beat the Heat at home on Tuesday to cap a three-game win streak — but they could be shorthanded Thursday night, as Anthony Edwards was downgraded to questionable.
Here’s a look at the Injury Report:
Cleveland Cavaliers
- OUT: Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Knee)
- QUESTIONABLE: Larry Nance Jr. (Calf), Darius Garland (Hand)
- PROBABLE: Jaylon Tyson (Illness)
Minnesota Timberwolves
- OUT: Terrance Shannon Jr. (Foot)
- QUESTIONABLE: Anthony Edwards (Injury Maintenance)
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET. Minnesota enters as a slight 2.5-point home favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Cleveland is listed as a +120 underdog. The game’s total is set at 237.5 points.
Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves Preview
Cleveland Cavaliers Preview
On the heels of a brutal stretch, the Cavaliers have seemingly gotten back on track. They’ve won six of their last nine games — highlighted by a double-digit victory in San Antonio on Dec. 29 — and boasted one of the NBA’s top offenses during that span.
Donovan Mitchell is headed for his seventh straight All-Star Game, averaging a career-high 29.8 points along with 5.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. He’s flanked by fellow playmaker Darius Garland (questionable), sharpshooter Sam Merrill, and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley. Jarrett Allen and De’Andre Hunter have also provided steady contributions on both ends of the floor.
While Cleveland is far from the regular-season powerhouse of last season, the Cavaliers have reminded us during this stretch that they’re still a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference.
Minnesota Timberwolves Preview
The Timberwolves remain undeterred from back-to-back exits in the Western Conference Finals, holding strong in a highly competitive conference as they aim to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Minnesota has impressed on both sides of the ball, ranking in the NBA’s top ten in both offensive (8th) and defensive rating (6th). However, they might take the floor Thursday night without their sparkplug.
Two-way superstar Anthony Edwards is listed as questionable due to right foot injury maintenance. His absence would leave Minnesota scrambling to reconstruct the NBA’s seventh-highest scoring output — 29.3 points per game — and a key stopper against top wings.
The Wolves would likely lean on fellow All-Star Julius Randle, who has averaged 25.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and five assists in seven games without Edwards this season. Minnesota would also need key contributions from Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid, each of whom adds 14 points a night, along with sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo.
Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves Pick, Best Bet
Keep an eye on Anthony Edwards’ status for this one. If the three-time All-Star is available, expect a competitive back-and-forth between high-motor, star-driven offenses. But if he’s sidelined, count on Donovan Mitchell and Co. to overwhelm the shorthanded Wolves and pull off an upset in Minnesota.
For the sake of nailing down a pick, let’s roll with the latter scenario.
