The Cleveland Cavaliers (4-14) challenge the Minnesota Timberwolves (9-11) at Quicken Loans Arena. The game will air on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, November 26, 2018.
Minnesota is a 6-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 216.5 points.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Cleveland Cavaliers ATS Prediction
The Timberwolves will be looking for a similar result after covering the 11.5-point spread against the Chicago Bulls in their last matchup, 111-96. The game’s total points (207) were under the O/U total of 219. Minnesota’s rebounding was their largest strength. The Timberwolves had 21 offensive rebounds and 58 total rebounds, while the Bulls had six and 40, respectively. With 35 points on 13-for-23 shooting, Karl-Anthony Towns was the game’s leading scorer.
In the Cavaliers’ previous outing, they defeated the Houston Rockets, 117-108, despite being 6.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (225) were well over the O/U total of 208.5. Cleveland’s rebounding was their largest advantage. The Cavaliers had 20 offensive rebounds and 49 total rebounds, while the Rockets had seven and 30, respectively. With 16 points and 20 rebounds, Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson played well.
Cleveland could dominate the offensive glass in this meeting. The Cavaliers currently rank second in offensive rebounding percentage (28.2 percent), while Minnesota ranks 30th in defensive rebounding percentage (72.1 percent).
Minnesota comes into the contest with records of 9-11 straight up (SU) and 10-10 against the spread (ATS). Timberwolves games have a tendency to finish under the projected point total (70.0 percent).
Cleveland has a respectable 10-8 record ATS, despite being 4-14 SU. Much like Minnesota, games featuring the Cavaliers also have a tendency to go under the total (55.6 percent).
Thompson and Collin Sexton have been playing well over the last five games for Cleveland. Thompson has averaged 13 rebounds,12.4 points per game. Not to be outdone, Sexton has put up 19 points a game during that span.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Jimmy Butler scored a game-high 33 points and the Timberwolves defeated the Cavaliers 131-123 but could not cover as 8.5-point favorites. He also put up 7 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 254 points, which was 31 points above the projected point total of 223 points. The Timberwolves knocked down 33 of their 35 free throws (94.3 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.563 vs. 0.527).
Timberwolves vs. Cavaliers Free Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Minnesota ranks second in steals per game (9.6) while Cleveland ranks 19th in steals allowed per game (7.9).
Minnesota ranks 16 in points in the paint per game (46.6) while Cleveland ranks 26 (43.22222222222222).
The Timberwolves rank 18 in assists per game (23.15) while the Cavaliers rank 28 (19.333333333333332).
Cleveland is 4-5 ATS at home, while Minnesota is 3-6 ATS on the road.
Bettings Trends:
In its last five contests, Minnesota is 3-2 ATS with 5 unders.
Cleveland is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Timberwolves have outscored opponents by an average of 5.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Minnesota has lost by an average of 2.7 points.
During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 108.0 points per game (2.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 112.2 points per game (0.7 above their season average).
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