The Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers are squaring off once more in what’s become a thrilling home-and-home NBA series, this time at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Just two days ago, these teams locked horns in Minneapolis, with the Timberwolves taking a high-octane 131-122 win. Now, the Cavaliers look to turn the tables on their home court, hoping to shore up their playoff position in a fiercely competitive Eastern Conference.
Fans tuning in for this matinee showdown are in for a treat. The Timberwolves, riding a four-game winning streak, have been one of the league’s most dynamic teams, currently holding a 25-13 record, good for fourth in the West. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers, at 21-18, are battling for playoff security, tied for sixth in the East alongside the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, but sitting just outside the coveted top six and facing the prospect of a play-in appearance.
Thursday’s contest at Target Center was a showcase of offensive firepower from both squads. Minnesota put on a shooting clinic, hitting 57.3% from the field and a blistering 52.6% from beyond the arc (20-of-38). Julius Randle led the way for the Wolves with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, while Jaden McDaniels chipped in 26. Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves’ rising star, tallied 25 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds, and Donte DiVincenzo added 22 points. Rudy Gobert anchored the paint with 11 points and 13 boards, also swiping two steals.
On the Cavaliers’ side, Donovan Mitchell continued his All-Star campaign with a team-high 30 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. Sam Merrill provided a spark off the bench with 22 points, and Evan Mobley contributed 19 points. Jarrett Allen posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Darius Garland finished with 16 points and eight assists.
Both teams have dealt with injury concerns heading into Saturday’s rematch. For Cleveland, forward Dean Wade remains sidelined with a knee injury—though there’s no structural damage—and Max Strus is still recovering from offseason foot surgery. Chris Livingston and Luke Travers are away with the G League squad. On the Timberwolves’ side, Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle were listed as questionable but were cleared to play, while Mike Conley is out for rest, and several reserves are with the G League or nursing injuries.
The starting lineups reflect both teams’ depth and star power. The Cavaliers rolled out Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. The Timberwolves countered with Donte DiVincenzo, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert. Fans can catch the game on Prime Video, FanDuel Sports Network North, and Kansas City, or listen on 100.7 WMMS, 1100 WTAM, and LA MEGA 1300.
The opening minutes in Cleveland saw the Timberwolves come out swinging, outscoring the Cavs 14-6 early in the second quarter to push their lead to 47-35 with 8:13 left. Rudy Gobert’s defensive presence was immediately felt as he stripped Evan Mobley, setting up a fast-break bucket. Naz Reid, coming off the bench, contributed with timely threes, and Anthony Edwards found his rhythm with back-to-back triples to put Minnesota ahead 22-17 late in the first quarter. By the end of the opening frame, the Timberwolves led 33-29.
Jaylon Tyson was a bright spot for Cleveland, coming off the bench to lead the Cavs with eight first-quarter points, followed by Mitchell’s seven and Mobley’s six. For Minnesota, Julius Randle led with seven, while Edwards and Gobert chipped in six each. The Cavs’ offense showed flashes, but Minnesota’s balanced attack and defensive intensity kept the home team on its heels.
Looking at the numbers, Anthony Edwards has been electric on the road this season, averaging 32.2 points per game away from home and surpassing 30 points in 11 of 15 such contests. He’s reached the 30-point mark 17 times overall and recently became the third-youngest player in NBA history to notch 10,000 career points. Randle is averaging 22.3 points and 5.8 assists, while Gobert continues to dominate the glass with 11.3 rebounds per game.
For Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell is putting up 29.8 points per contest, leading the team in scoring and serving as the offensive engine. Mobley is averaging 17.8 points and 8.7 rebounds, and Garland is good for 17.5 points and 6.9 assists per game. Mitchell, in particular, has been red-hot at Rocket Arena, scoring 30 or more in 12 of 20 home games and entering Saturday’s clash on a streak of four straight 30-point performances.
Despite their recent home struggles against the spread (6-15 ATS as home favorites), the Cavaliers have been able to grind out wins, going 13-8 straight up in those matchups. The betting odds for this game favored Cleveland slightly, with the Cavs at -3.5 and the Timberwolves at +3.5, and an over/under set at 238.5 points—a nod to both teams’ offensive prowess.
The Timberwolves’ recent form has them surging up the Western Conference standings, tied with the Denver Nuggets for third and just 1.5 games back of the San Antonio Spurs for second place. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, are locked in a tight race in the East, where every win counts toward avoiding the uncertainty of the play-in tournament.
Saturday’s game is also a showcase of star power and strategic adjustments. The Cavaliers, after being burned by Minnesota’s third-quarter surge on Thursday, are looking to tighten up their second-quarter defense and avoid the lapses that have cost them in recent outings. “We can’t afford to let up, not even for a minute,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson emphasized before tip-off. “Minnesota punishes every mistake.”
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch, meanwhile, praised his team’s resilience and ability to execute on the road. “We know Cleveland will come out swinging, but our guys are locked in. If we stick to our game plan, move the ball, and defend, we’ll give ourselves a great shot.”
With both teams healthy at the top of their rotations and the playoff race heating up, all eyes are on Rocket Arena as Anthony Edwards and Donovan Mitchell prepare for another scoring duel. The action is ongoing, and with the Timberwolves holding a slim lead early in the second quarter, the outcome is very much up for grabs. Will the Cavaliers rally behind their home crowd, or can Minnesota’s road warriors extend their winning streak to five? Stay tuned—this one’s far from over.
