The Cleveland Cavaliers (34-6) and Minnesota Timberwolves (22-19) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 9:00 p.m. EST at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, The game will broadcast live on FDSN and NBA League Pass.
The Cavaliers are 7.5-point favorites over the Timberwolves on the spread (Cavs -7.5), with the over/under set at 226.5 total points. Cleveland is a -290 favorite to win outright, while the Wolves are +235 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, January 18.
Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves Picks, Prediction
Spread
The Timberwolves are as high as 7.5-point underdogs, yet my model projects they should be getting closer to 2.5 points. As a result, there's value on the home side here at the current number.
Moneyline
I prefer to pass on the Timberwolves ML and back them on the point spread at +7.5.
Over/Under
My model projects a total of 226.8, which is not enough of an edge considering the market number is between 226.5 and 227.
My Pick: Timberwolves +7.5
Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7.5 -110 | 226.5 -110 / -110 | -290 |
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7.5 -110 | 226.5 -110 / -110 | +235 |
- Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves spread: Cavaliers -7.5
- Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves over/under: 226.5 total points
- Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves moneyline: Timberwolves +235, Cavaliers -290
- Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves best bet: Timberwolves +7.5 (-110)
My Timberwolves vs. Cavaliers best bet is on Minnesota to cover the spread as a steep home underdog, with the best line currently available at ESPN Bet. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves Preview
The Cavaliers haven't had many setbacks, given their 34-6 record. However, they enter this contest with losses in two of their last three games by a margin of 15 and 20 points.
Thus, the Cavaliers may be just starting to show a bit of a wobble at the moment.
Saturday's visit to Minnesota will be particularly interesting, considering that the Timberwolves are 6-4 straight up in the last 10 meetings of this series while covering the spread in seven of those games.
The Timberwolves haven't quite found their stride this season (22-19) following a standout performance last year when they finished 30 games above .500 (56-26) en route to a Western Conference Finals appearance.
Nonetheless, this is still a very dangerous Minnesota team that tends to rise to the challenge against even the fiercest of opponents.
Although Minnesota is coming off an impressive 116-99 road victory against the Knicks, they won't have much time to celebrate given the quick turnaround. The Timberwolves might be on short rest, but the difficult circumstances might just suit them with their backs up against the wall.
While Minnesota would readily agree that they haven't been at their best this season, they've been a profitable asset for bettors when deemed an underdog by the bookmakers and facing an opponent with a winning percentage of .650 or higher.
Per our Action Labs database, Minnesota is 3-1-1 against the spread in this spot this season and 11-4-1 over the last two campaigns.
Interestingly, even with a one-day rest advantage over their opponents, the Cavaliers have struggled historically when laying eight or more points and coming off a loss of 20 or more points. According to the KillerSports database, the Cavaliers are 0-3 against the spread in this spot.
The Timberwolves are more than capable of rising to the occasion against the Cavaliers and I expect them to do enough to keep this game inside the number.
Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves Prediction
Since I've made the case for Minnesota to cover the spread, I'll now focus on some Timberwolves players who can outperform their player props.
Minnesota center Naz Reid has been in tremendous form from beyond the arc over his last five games. During that span, he has averaged 3.8 3-pointers. Reid is also one of the best 3-point specialists on his team, shooting 39.5% from long range.
His 3-point prop is set at 1.5, and he'll need to play a key role in providing Minnesota with spacing because Cleveland essentially plays with two centers, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, who occupy the paint.
In both games against the Cavaliers last season, Reid recorded seven 3-pointers in the first meeting and three in the latter.
For the Timberwolves to have any chance in this contest, I like our chances with Reid knocking down at least a couple of 3-pointers from the perimeter.
Another player in good form is Minnesota's power forward, Jaden McDaniels. McDaniels has a points + assists prop of 12.5, which he has comfortably exceeded in five straight home games with an average of 17.4 and a median of 18.
McDaniels also exceeded this projection in both games last season against the Cavs, with a combined total of 15 points and assists.
We may see a high-scoring contest, as the Cavaliers are the most profitable team for over-bettors, with a 27-13 record. Thus, a back-and-forth affair would certainly enhance McDaniels' ability to go over his points + assists prop.
Best Bet: Timberwolves +7.5 (-110)
Same Game Parlay Picks
- Timberwolves +7.5
- Naz Reid Over 1.5 Three-Pointers Made
- Jaden McDaniels Over 12.5 Points + Assists
Parlay Payout: +388
Timberwolves vs. Cavaliers Betting Trends
