MINNEAPOLIS, MN--- The Cavs struggled without key players Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Max Strus, and Dean Wade, losing to the Timberwolves 104-91. This was the 19th time the Timberwolves held a team to under 100 points this season, they improve to 17-2 when they do so. This is not surprising when you look at Minnesota's defense, they are number one in the NBA in opponents points per game at 106. These 2 teams looked very similar coming in on paper, both teams averaged 113 PPG this season, both are 48% from FG range, the only real difference was 3 point percentage, with the Cavs making 36% of their attempts and Minnesota making 38% from behind the arc.
The Cavs played from behind for most of the game, especially early on, but the Cavs would rally and go on an 11-2 run in the last 3 minutes of the first half, bringing themselves within 2 at 44-42 with 2:52 left until halftime after being down by 10 in the 2nd quarter, they would take a 49-46 lead into halftime. One player was slow to come out of the locker room, Jarret Allen suffered a laceration on his right hand, Allen turned out to be okay, finishing with his 35th double-double of the year with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Veteran Tristan Thompson started the 3rd quarter in his place, finishing with 5 points and 7 rebounds. The Cavs struggled in the 3rd and couldn't catch up for the rest of the game, only scoring 17 points in the quarter. The Cavs would make some runs, gaining a lead for short amount of time, but struggled to keep up, losing 104-91.
The Cavs will take a quick flight down south to Miami to play the Heat Sunday evening at 6.