The Minnesota Timberwolves bring their five-game home swing to an end as they journey to the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.
This will be the second meeting between the sides since the turn of the year, with the Cavaliers picking up a 124-117 victory when they locked horns at the Target Center on January 19.
Match preview
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The Cleveland Cavaliers extended their dominance over Eastern Conference strugglers Washington Wizards as they picked up a 134-124 victory at the Capital One Arena to make it 12 wins from their last 12 encounters since December 2021.
Playing their third game in four days and fifth in seven, the Cavaliers endured a slow start to the contest, as they found themselves trailing by eight points after just three minutes before allowing 67 points by the midway mark.
It was not until the fourth quarter before Cleveland upped the ante, kicking off the restart with a much-needed 7-0 run before powering to a game-high 16-point lead and finishing ahead of the visitors by 10 points after 19 lead changes and 17 ties.
While just 10 players suited up for the Cavs at the Capital One Arena, six finished with double digits, led by Donovan Mitchell, who knocked down 33 points on 46% shooting from the field while Evan Mobley and Darius Garland rallied 27 and 23 respectively.
Kenny Atkinson's men have now gone 6-1 since losing three back-to-back games against the Houston Rockets (twice) and the Philadelphia 76ers in January, with their only defeat in that time coming on February 5, when they fell 112-105 at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks.
This solid run has seen the Cavaliers improve to a 42-10 record from their 52 games this season as they lead the way in the Eastern Conference standings, six wins more than second-placed Boston Celtics.
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Over in the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves Timberwolves continue their push for playoff basketball as they rolled past the Houston Rockets 127-114 at the Target Center on Friday night.
The Rockets spent over 30 minutes in the lead, including a one-point advantage with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, but Anthony Edwards knocked down six straight points to inspire the hosts to an 8-0 run, from which they pulled clear to snatch their 14th home win of the season.
Having knocked down 49 points in the 127-108 victory over the Chicago Bulls just 24 hours earlier, Edwards turned in another dominant individual display as he led Minnesota with 41 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Rudy Gobert dropped 13 points and 10 rebounds to record his 23rd double-double of the season.
Chris Finch's men are now 7-2 from their nine matches across the last 16 days, with both defeats in that time coming by just two points against the Wizards (105-103) and the Sacramento Kings (116-114) in their first two outings in February.
The Timberwolves are 29-23 for the season with a 0.558 winning percentage to sit sixth in the Western Conference standings, one win above seventh-placed Los Angeles Clippers just outside the automatic playoff berth.
While Minnesota will journey to the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse seeking a fourth consecutive road win on Monday, they are first scheduled to host the Portland Trail Blazers in the last of their five-game homestand on Saturday night.
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Team News
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The Cleveland Cavaliers were one of several active sides on trade deadline day as they moved out Caris LeVert and Georges Niang in exchange for Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter.
Hunter missed the game against the Wizards last time out as he completed his medical clearance but the 27-year-old should be involved against the Trail Blazers on Monday night.
On the injury front, Cleveland remain without Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade, who have been sidelined through shoulder and knee injuries respectively while Sam Merrill is a doubt after missing the Wizards clash due to personal reasons.
Minnesota Timberwolves have their fair share of injury concerns as Jesse Edwards (ankle), Julius Randle (groin) and Donte DiVincenzo (toe) continue their spells on the sidelines.
Veteran guard Mike Conley is considered day-to-day against the Trail Blazers through a finger injury while Edwards is also listed as questionable due to a right hip soreness.
Cleveland Cavaliers possible starting 5:
Garland, Mitchell, Allen, Strus, Mobley
Minnesota Timberwolves possible starting 5:
Conley, Edwards, Gobert, McDaniels, Reid
We say: Cleveland Cavaliers to win by 5+ points.
Edwards has helped the Minnesota Timberwolves power through to two consecutive victories but they are in for a tough challenge against Cleveland, who will be looking to add to their Eastern Conference-best win total.
While we expect Finch's side to put up a fight, the Cavaliers have been rock-solid at home and we fancy them to come out on top.
Joshua Ojele
