In the National Basketball Association; a pair of postseason bound teams get together in Minneapolis as the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. The road team – Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for back to back wins, after beating the Magic in Orlando. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 26-13, which is first in the Central Division, and third in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland trails Boston and Toronto in the Conference standings. The Cavaliers are 11-9 on the road this season.
For the Minnesota Timberwolves – they are 25-16 on the season. The Timberwolves are fourth in the Western Conference and 7.5 games behind the Golden State Warriors. Houston and San Antonio also stand between Minnesota and Golden State. The Timberwolves are 14-6 at home this season. The Cleveland Cavaliers are -2 over the Minnesota Timberwolves in NBA action on Monday night.
Minnesota with Solid Season
The Timberwolves did not reach the postseason a season ago, but added by Jimmy Butler and Jeff Teague in the offseason. Those two go along with Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. That moved the Timberwolves to the 7th best scoring team in the league with 108 points per game. The Timberwolves defense has improved this season, but are still 13th with 105.2 points per game.
The top scorer for the Timberwolves this season has been shooting guard Jimmy Butler. The former Chicago Bulls star is scoring 21.5 points per game, while playing more than 37 minutes per game. The big man from Kentucky, Karl Anthony Towns is averaging 20.2 points and 11.9 rebounds per game as well. Minnesota is already just 6 wins shy of their win total from a season ago.
Cleveland Seeking Another Title
The Cleveland Cavaliers are seeking their fourth straight trip to the NBA Finals. The Cavaliers have one title during that time. Cleveland is scoring more than 110 points per game, while allowing opponents to score 107.5. The Cavaliers are 4.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks and the Detroit Pistons in the Central Division, with the Pacers 6 games back and Chicago in last place.
The Cavaliers are getting one of the best statistical seasons from the King LeBron James. James is scoring more than 27 points per game, and grabbing 8.2 rebounds, and dishing out 9.1 assists per game. Kevin Love is second on the team with 19.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. The Cavaliers got a big boost last week as point guard Isaiah Thomas played his first two games of the season.
Timberwolves Down Cavaliers
This has the potential of being a really good basketball game. These two teams are both very talented, and both ready to make a run in the postseason. Cleveland has been there and done that in the postseason, while Minnesota is looking to get to that level. The Timberwolves should have no problem making the postseason, but series against Oklahoma City, Golden State, Houston and San Antonio could be a challenge.
Look for the Timberwolves to use their three scoring stars to beat the Cavaliers. The Timberwolves have enough defense to keep LeBron James from completely run them over. When you are making this bet for the Monday National Basketball Association game – take the Minnesota Timberwolves +2 over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bet on the Minnesota Timberwolves +2 over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.
