Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 03/08/2024

Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Friday, March 8, 2024

Venue:  Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Timberwolves -1, Cavaliers +1; Over/Under:  209.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Timberwolves -1, Cavaliers +1; Over/Under:  209.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Timberwolves -1.5, Cavaliers +1.5; Over/Under:  209.5 points

Minnesota Timberwolves:  43-19 (1st place, Northwest Division)

Cleveland Cavaliers:  40-22 (2nd place, Central Division)

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Minnesota Timberwolves:  7-3 last 10

Cleveland Cavaliers:  5-5 last 10

The Timberwolves are entering this game with a 43-19 record overall and they are 20-11 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Portland Trail Blazers in their last game, but this is also the 2nd game of a back-to-back for them with their game against the Indiana Pacers still to be played on Thursday night. In their game against the Trail Blazers, Rudy Gobert led the team in points in that game with 25 while Mike Conley Jr. was next on the team with 19 points. Mike Conley Jr. led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Rudy Gobert led the team in rebounds with 16. They were 50.6% from the field, 39.3% from 3-point range, and 75.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 113.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 106.5 PPG against them. The Timberwolves have an ATS record of 30-30-2 this season and their O/U record is 30-31-1.

The Cavaliers are entering this game with a 40-22 record overall and they are 21-11 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Atlanta Hawks in their last game. Jarrett Allen led the team in points in that game with 18 while Isaac Okoro was next on the team with 17 points. Darius Garland and Caris LeVert each led the team in assists in that game with 7 while Jarrett Allen led the team in rebounds with 19. They were 43.8% from the field, 22.7% from 3-point range, and 76.5% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 114 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 109.5 PPG against them. The Cavaliers have an ATS record of 30-30-2 this season and their O/U record is 26-35-1.

The current betting odds have the Timberwolves listed as a 1 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Timberwolves have looked really good in their games this season with their 43-19 record overall which has them right at the top of the West with one of the best records in the entire NBA. They have also looked great in their road games this year with their 20-11 road record. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have also looked really good in their games this season with their 40-22 record overall which has them near the top of the East with one of the best records in the entire NBA. They have also looked great on their home court this year with their 21-11 home record. As good as the Cavaliers have been this season, they haven't been at their best lately as they are dealing with some important injuries right now. They are only 5-5 in their last 10 games and coming off another loss in their last one too. The Timberwolves are fighting for the best record in the West right now and they have looked good in their games lately with their 7-3 record in their last 10 games. They are in a tougher situation here being on a back-to-back, but the talent and depth on the Timberwolves right now is better than the Cavs and they will be able to take advantage of the Cavaliers in this banged up state. The best way to place a bet here is on the Timberwolves to cover the spread in this game. 

Timberwolves Cavaliers Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, March 8, 2024 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Timberwolves 122 Cavaliers 114.

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Minnesota Timberwolves: 5-10 ATS after a close win by 3 points or less. 18-24 ATS after a win by 6 points or less. 13-7 UNDER when the line is +3 to -3. 10-6 UNDER after a close win by 3 points or less.

Cleveland Cavaliers: 10-5 ATS as a home favorite of 6 points or less. 8-1 ATS off a road loss. 12-7 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses. 13-3 UNDER in a home game where the total is 200 to 209.5. 14-7 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive losses.

Minnesota Timberwolves:  J. Minott (SF) Prob Thurs - Illness. K. Towns (C) Out Thurs - Knee. J. McLaughlin (PG) Ques Thurs - Illness. J. Clark (SG) Out indefinitely - Achilles.

Cleveland Cavaliers:  M. Strus (PG) Ques Fri - Knee. E. Mobley (C) Mid March - Ankle. D. Mitchell (SG) Mid March - Knee. T. Jerome (SG) Out indefinitely - Ankle. T. Thompson (C) Elig March 16 - Suspension.

“We absolutely had to have this one.” - Chris Finch after his team’s win against the Trail Blazers in their game on Monday.

“We'll see how it goes.” - J.B. Bickerstaff on the injury to Evan Mobley after his team’s loss against the Hawks in their game on Wednesday.

PG Mike Conley

SG Anthony Edwards

SF Jaden McDaniels

PF Kyle Anderson

C Rudy Gobert

PG Darius Garland

SG Caris LeVert

SF Max Strus

PF Dean Wade

C Jarrett Allen

PPG: A. Edwards (26.1)

APG: M. Conley (6.2)

Reb/G: R. Gobert (12.8)

PPG: D. Mitchell (28)

APG: D. Mitchell (6.2)

Reb/G: J. Allen (10.6)

Coaches:

Minnesota Timberwolves: Chris Finch (4th season)

Cleveland Cavaliers: J.B. Bickerstaff (5th season)