Minnesota vs Cleveland Prediction: the Cavaliers Might Outplay the Timberwolves

Minnesota has the tough back-to-back matches.. After a road game against New York, the Timberwolves will host the Eastern Conference leaders, Cleveland. Will Chris Finch's team be able to handle such a tough challenge? Metaratings is offering a prediction and several bets on this game.

Minnesota

Last night's game was a great one for the Timberwolves. The team at Madison Square Garden scored fewer than 100 points against New York, who are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Still, they won by more than 10 points (116:99). The best player for Minnesota was Anthony Edwards. The guard got 33 points and 13 rebounds. Center Naz Reid, who is Rudy Gobert's backup, also did well with 23 points.

This win means that Minnesota has recovered from their recent home defeat to Golden State and moved up in the play-in zone of the Western Conference. With a record of 22-19, the Wolves are currently in eighth place in the standings. Minnesota also has one of the best defenses this season, conceding average of 107.9 points per game and ranking fourth in the efficiency rating.

Cleveland

The Cavaliers failed their sixth game of the season when they played away against the Western Conference leaders, Oklahoma. Unlike the team's recent game in Ohio, there was no fight here, and Kenny Atkinson's team lost by 20 points (114:134). Cleveland was stronger than Oklahoma in rebounds (49-39) and assists (32-25).

This means the Cavaliers have now lost two out of their last three matches. Before that, Cleveland had won away against Indiana (83:108) and (127:117). The Cavs have won 34 games and lost 6, which puts them in first place in the Eastern Conference.

H2H Meetings

The two teams have not played against each other this season yet, but Minnesota has won three out of four games against Cleveland in the last two championships.

Stats Betting

• Four out of five previous games between the teams have been won by Minnesota. The best bet is W1 with odds of 2.974 at 1xbet.
• The opponents have not scored more than 226 points in the last three H2H matches. We bet on TU (218.5) at odds of 2.75.
• Minnesota has reached the 110-point mark in four out of five previous home matches. We bet on IT1O (109.5) at odds of 1.83 at 1xbet.
• Cleveland has scored over 117 points in three of the last four away games. We bet on IT2O (115.5) at odds of 1.90.

Expert Betting Tips

Minnesota is a top-defence team that can definitely hold their own against even leading Cleveland. So let's bet here on the total under, since the bookmakers set the odds quite high. Also, let's say the Cavaliers will win. The Timberwolves will be playing back-to-back games and, even with their strong defense, will find it hard to succeed. On the other hand, we'll go for the three-pointers. 

Prediction:

TU (226.5) for 1.91

H2 (-7.5) for 1.91

Three-pointers TO (28.5) for 1.79