At 8:00 ET, the Timberwolves (-246) will host the Cavaliers (+199) in a non-conference matchup. Minnesota is favored by 5.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 210.5.

BSN will have the TV coverage from the Target Center in Minneapolis. The Cavs are 43-26 and 3rd in the Eastern Conference, while the Timberwolves are 47-22 and 3rd in the West.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS VS MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES BETTING PICK

The Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers +5.5

This game will be played at Target Center at 8:00 ET on Friday, March 22nd.

WHY BET THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 114-112 in favor of the Cavaliers.
  • Our projections have Darius Garland finishing with Darius Garland points, 2 rebounds and 6 assists.
  • From the field, we have the Cavaliers finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.8% and knocking down 10 threes.

Will the Cavaliers Defense Show Up on the Road?

The Cavaliers have gone 11-12 straight-up as the underdog this season and have covered the spread in three straight games as the underdog. As the underdog, they are 13-9 ATS on the road and have an average scoring differential of -1.3 points per game.

On average, Cleveland’s games have finished with 222.8 points per game, which is higher than today’s O/U line of 210.5. This season, 64 of their games have had higher O/U lines compared to just five games with lower lines.

Cleveland’s O/U record for the season is 32-36-1, and their most recent game against the Heat went over the O/U line of 207.5. The teams combined for 211 points in Miami’s 107-104 win.

In their last game, the Cavaliers lost to the Heat by a score of 107-104. Cleveland was favored by 3 points in that game, giving them a three-game losing streak against the spread as the favorite. The team is 32-14 as the favorite this season.

With a record of 43-26, the Cavaliers are currently 3rd in the Eastern Conference and 2nd in the Central Division. On the road, they are 21-12 compared to 22-14 at home.

Overall, the Cavaliers have an ATS record of 34-33, going 17-14 ATS on the road and 17-19 ATS at home. Today, they are 5.5-point underdogs against the Timberwolves.

When it comes to scoring, the Cavaliers are 18th in the league at 113.4 points per game. However, on the road, their average drops to 112.4 points per game.

So far this season, the Cavaliers have outscored the NBA scoring average in just 43.5% of their games. In terms of pace, Cleveland is 21st in the league at 97.3 possessions per game.

When it comes to three-point shooting, the Cavaliers are 6th in the league at 13.7 made threes per game. Overall, Cleveland is 14th in field goal percentage and 10th in two-point shooting percentage.

So far, the Cavaliers’ defense is ranked 5th in the league at 109.4 points per contest. When it comes to forced turnovers, the Cavaliers are forcing 12.6 per game, which is 15th in the league. They also come into the game sitting 20th in blocked shots at 4.8 per game.

Can the Timberwolves Live Up to the Hype at Home?

In their games this season, the Timberwolves have averaged a combined scoring total of 220 points, which is higher than today’s O/U line of 210.5. In their last game against the Nuggets, the teams combined for 227 points.

Minnesota’s ATS record for the season is 35-33, and they have covered the spread in four straight games. At home, they are 15-17 ATS and have an average scoring differential of +8.3 points per game.

For the season, the Timberwolves are 39-14 as the favorite and have been favored in 53 of their 69 games. As the favorite, they have an average scoring differential of +8.7 PPG.

Minnesota’s most recent game was a 115-112 loss to the Nuggets. They were 7.5-point underdogs going into the game and have an overall record of 47-22, which is 3rd in the Western Conference.

The Timberwolves have won their last three games on the road and are 24-13 on the road this season. Against the spread on the road, they are 20-16 compared to 15-17 at home.

This season, Minnesota has an O/U record of 35-34 and the over has hit in two straight games. In their most recent game vs. the Nuggets, the O/U line was 215.5.

Minnesota’s offense is averaging 113.3 points per game, which is 20th in the NBA. At home, they are averaging 111.7 points per game.

So far, the Timberwolves have outscored the NBA scoring average in 44.9% of their games. In terms of pace, they are 22nd in the league at 97.2 possessions per game.

Minnesota’s offense has been efficient this season, ranking 10th in field goal percentage at 48%. They are also 8th in true shooting percentage.

So far this season, the Timberwolves defense has been performing well, ranking 1st in the NBA at 106.7 points allowed per contest. Opponents are hitting 50.6% of their two-point field goal attempts this season, and they’re also connecting on 35.4% of their three-point attempts.