The Cleveland Cavaliers (43-10, 1st in East) returned home to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse after a two-game road trip, going 2-0 to face the Minnesota Timberwolves (30-24, 6th in West). The Cavs are still having a stellar 24-25 campaign with the best record in the Eastern Conference to show for it. This game marks the first game for the Cavaliers after the NBA Trade Deadline, where Cleveland acquired DeAndre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks. In this game, Hunter made his much anticipated Cavaliers debut as he started for the Wine and Gold for the first time tonight. The ball movement and offensively onslaught the Cavaliers came out with in the first quarter helped set the tone and tune for Cleveland’s wire-to-wire win 128-107.
The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this matchup riding an impressive three-game winning streak, which included going 8-2 over their last ten games. This Timberwolves team goes as far as Anthony Edwards’ offense can lead them, as he averages 27.2 points per game and shoots a robust 44.6 FG% on the year. The Timberwolves were red-hot coming into this matchup, but the Cavaliers just play at another level offensively that very few teams can match.
The Wine and Gold have gone 6-4 in their last ten games, with their most recent win coming against the Washington Wizards out in our nation’s capital last Friday night, 134-124. The Cavaliers lost their most recent home game against the Boston Celtics (37-16, 2nd in East), losing 112-105. They have looked to take that loss and grow from it, as they will see them again this season and possibly in the playoffs. The Cleveland fan base was also very excited to be hosting their final home game before they send their three all-stars off to All-Star Weekend this coming weekend.
Recap:
The Cavaliers’ offensive charge started the game with nothing short of an all-star-caliber performance. They jumped out to an early 16-0 lead in the first quarter and never really looked back, taking the 30-12 lead into the second quarter. The Cavaliers’ offense didn’t let up, but Edwards and the T-Wolves did everything they could to create some sort of spark on the road, as the Cavs led 66-44 at the half.
In the third quarter, the Win and Gold continued to display their offensive power, running away with the lead. The Timberwolves shot a robust 13/20 (65.0 FG%) for the quarter, but it would barely matter as Cleveland continued to hit big momentum shots and get key defensive stops right as Minnesota tried making a run.
The biggest highlight of the game came in the final second of the third quarter when rookie Jaylon Tyson hit a three-pointer, and backup guard Ty Jerome stole the ball on the final Timberwolves’ possession in the backcourt and drilled a buzzer-beating three-pointer! The Cavaliers ended the third quarter, leading the game 104-78, up 26. The fourth quarter witnessed both teams’ offenses being effective, but under about three minutes, the lead was insurmountable. Both benches were cleared for both teams in Cleveland’s 128-107 win.
Key Performers:
Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley led the Cavs in scoring with 28 points on an efficient 12-19 (63.2 FG%), including one three. He also had a stellar stat line of 10 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks in the evening.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves in scoring with 43 points, including going 10-13 (77 FT%) from the line and collected six rebounds. He also knocked down eight threes, going 8-15 (53.3 3P%) from distance in the loss.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Jarett Allen had a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds while shooting an elite 6-8 (75.0 FG%). He dominated Rudy Gobert in the first quarter with nine of his 13 rebounds, including many of his rebounds being putback layups.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Guard Rob Dillingham came off the bench and was second in scoring for Minnesota with 13 points, including one three-pointer.
Cleveland Cavaliers: All-star guard Donovan Mitchell contributed 23 points using the pick-and-roll with Evan Mobley to lead the team in assists with eight on the night.
Key Moments:
Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs came out of the gates on a 16-0run, eventually leading by the end of the first quarter 30-10.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Rudy Gobert got the Timberwolves on the board, hitting a free throw.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Mitchell had a huge one-handed dunk off an isolation drive at the end of the first quarter.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Edwards finally got on the board off a driving layup. He struggled in the first quarter but got going, creating for himself in the second and third.
Cleveland Cavaliers: DeAndre Hunter hit two big three-pointers in the third quarter. One of his three makes came off a step back attempt, putting up the Cavs 40-16 in the second.
Minnesota Timberwolves: The team shot 12/20 (65.0%) in the third quarter, keeping the score respectable entering the final period.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Jayson Tyson hit a three-pointer with 3.9 seconds left in the third, and then Ty Jerome stole the ball and drilled a three-pointer at the buzzer, giving the Cavs the 104-78 lead at the end of the third.
Key Stats:
Tied Score: None
Lead Changes: None
Biggest Lead: 26 (Cleveland)
Rebounding: 49 – 41 (Cleveland)
Points in the Paint: 56 – 48 (Cleveland)
Fastbreak: 16 – 11 (Minnesota)
2nd Chance Points: 14 – 13 (Minnesota)
FG%: 51.1% – 40.0% (Cleveland)
3P%: 39.5% – 30.8% (Cleveland)
FT%: 76.7% – 75.0% (Minnesota)
Next Up:
The Timberwolves will return home to the Target Center facing the Milwaukee Bucks in their final game before All-Star Break Wednesday, February 12th at 8 P.M. After this dismantling of Minnesota, Cleveland will travel to Toronto to face the Raptors in their final game before all-star break tipping at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday, February 12th at 7:30 P.M.
