Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions, Picks and NBA Preview – February 14, 2017

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview

Where: Target Center – Minneapolis, MN

When: Tuesday, February 14, 2017, 8:00 PM ET

Line: Cleveland Cavaliers (-4) at Minnesota Timberwolves (+4); total: 218.5 – view all NBA lines

TV Broadcast: NBA TV

Writer’s Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers (-4)

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Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers (37-16)

Point Spread: -4

The Cleveland Cavaliers defended home court with a dominant 125-109 win over the Denver Nuggets in their previous game. Kyrie Irving and LeBron James had 27 points apiece for the Cavs, who have now gone 5-1 in their last six games (5-1 against the spread), and improved their East-leading home record to 23-5.

However, Kevin Love experienced some soreness in his knee during that game and will miss his homecoming to Minnesota. Love, who had been dealing with back spasms which caused him to miss a couple of games a few weeks ago, also missed the Cavs’ first game against the Timberwolves this month due to those back issues.

The Cavs beat the T-Wolves easily 125-97 at home despite Love’s absence, though. They shot 54 percent as a team and outrebounded the Wolves, 48-38. James had a terrific game with 27 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds, while Channing Frye and Tristan Thompson stepped up in Love’s absence by scoring 18 points apiece. Frye is once again expected to get the start against the Wolves in Love’s absence.

The Cavs are 7-3 (straight up and against the spread) in their last 10 visits to Minnesota.

Betting on the Minnesota Timberwolves (21-34)

Point Spread: +4

The Minnesota Timberwolves got a much-needed win last time out as they beat a very shorthanded Chicago Bulls team, 117-89, at home. Andrew Wiggins benefited from the absence of Jimmy Butler as he had a huge game with 27 points, 6 boards and 4 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points, while point guard Ricky Rubio had a double-double with 17 points and 11 assists.

The T-Wolves had previously dropped five of their last six games, including three of four without shooting guard Zach LaVine, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Wiggins has stepped up his game ever since LaVine’s injury. He’s averaging 27.4 points on 52 percent shooting, with 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2 steals over his last five games.

Wiggins usually has great games against the Cavs, the team that initially drafted him No. 1 overall in 2014. He was limited to just 23 points in their first game against the Cavs this season in Cleveland. But in two previous meetings in Minnesota, Wiggins has averaged 34 points.

The Wolves are easily much better at home (14-17, as opposed to 7-17 on the road), but they are just 3-6 against the spread in their last nine home games. However, the total has gone OVER in seven straight home games.

Writer’s Prediction

With Love out, James and Irving carry the Cavs (-4) to another road win in Minnesota.

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