The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for their third straight win as they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.
Who? Cleveland Cavaliers (4-14) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (9-11)
When? 7:00 PM EST
Where? Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Where on my eyeballs? Fox Sports Ohio, NBA League Pass
Cavs injuries: Kevin Love (Foot - Out), George Hill (Shoulder - Out), Sam Dekker (Ankle - Out), J.R. Smith (Not With Team), David Nwaba (Knee - Out)
Wolves injuries: Jerryd Bayless (Knee - Out)
One of the Cavs more entertaining games of the season was their road loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Back before the drama about the team changing direction, the team displayed a ton of heart battling back and giving themselves a chance to beat the Wolves on the road.
A lot has changed for both sides since that matchup. Kevin Love is no longer in the lineup, Collin Sexton is no longer a tentative rookie trying to fit in, and Jimmy Butler is with the Sixers.
With both teams looking to win their third game in a row, this should be a fun showdown between two young teams looking to find themselves.
Keys to the game
Young core must be stellar. One of the biggest reasons for the success the Cavs have had over the last few games has been the play of Collin Sexton. When both he and Cedi Osman are playing well it gives the Cavs a second gear they wouldn’t otherwise have. The team is full of specialists that playing off a high usage player. When one or both of the Cavs guys are able to play at that required level for an evening, the composition of the team makes a whole lot more sense.
Contain Karl-Anthony Towns. Tristan Thompson was a monster this past weekend, putting up a combined 34 points and 33 rebounds against Joel Embiid and Clint Capela. While both of those big men had good games, they weren’t able to single-handedly change the game on the glass and their teams were outrebounded by a wide margin.
Stopping Karl-Anthony Towns is nearly impossible when he’s engaged, but limiting him on the glass, being physical with him and not letting him control the game will be very important in this matchup.
Fear the Sword’s Fearless Prediction
Mondays can be bleak, just like the Wolves 1-8 road record this season. So what better way to start off your week than a Cavs win. Cedi and Sexton combine for 40+ and the Cavs win 113-108.