The NBA spotlight shines brightly on Minneapolis tonight as the Minnesota Timberwolves host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Target Center for the first game of a much-anticipated home-and-home series. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. Eastern, and fans are eager to see if these two surging squads can keep their hot streaks alive in what promises to be a high-octane showdown.
Both teams enter the Thursday night clash with momentum on their side. The Timberwolves, sitting at 24-13 and fifth in the Western Conference, have just wrapped up a three-game winning streak—capped by a dominant 122-94 victory over the Miami Heat on January 6. That win marked Minnesota’s fourth double-digit triumph against Eastern Conference opponents this season, and they’re 4-0 when holding teams under 100 points. Not too shabby for a squad with championship aspirations!
On the other side, the Cavaliers are 21-17 and seventh in the East, winners of six of their last nine games. Their latest conquest? A gritty 120-116 comeback win in Indianapolis over the Pacers, where they rallied from a nine-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. Darius Garland led the charge with 29 points and six assists, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen chipped in 20 and 19 points, respectively—Allen also notching his fourth consecutive double-double. According to USA Today, Garland was red-hot in crunch time, dropping 14 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting in the final period to seal the deal.
It’s not just about recent form—star power will be on full display. Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers’ dynamic guard, is enjoying a career-best campaign. He’s averaging 29.8 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game, with shooting splits that have him flirting with the league’s elite. As ESPN notes, "Mitchell is having his best season in terms of scoring, field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage (38.8%)." He’s expected to make his seventh straight All-Star appearance, and his leadership has kept Cleveland’s offense humming even as they’ve battled injuries.
But the Timberwolves have their own superstar in Anthony Edwards, who’s also having a season for the ages. Edwards is pouring in 29.4 points per game, shooting 50.6% from the field and 40% from deep. Over his last nine contests, he’s averaged a blistering 31.2 points while connecting on nearly 52% of his shots. In the Miami win, Edwards led the way with 26 points, including five triples, and showed why he’s one of the NBA’s most electrifying young talents. As The New York Post points out, "Edwards has taken another leap this season, posting career-highs in scoring and shooting while making it look effortless on a nightly basis."
Both teams are dealing with injury setbacks—nothing new in the grind of an NBA season. The Cavaliers will be without Max Strus (foot) and Dean Wade (knee), while Larry Nance Jr. (calf) and Darius Garland (hand) are listed as questionable. Jaylon Tyson is probable despite an illness. For Minnesota, Terrance Shannon Jr. (foot) is out, but the big news is that Anthony Edwards, initially questionable due to injury management, was later upgraded to available. That’s a sigh of relief for Timberwolves fans, as Edwards’ presence is crucial to their offensive punch.
The projected starting lineups reflect both teams’ commitment to putting their best foot forward. For Cleveland: Jaylon Tyson, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell, and Darius Garland. For Minnesota: Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and Donte DiVincenzo. It’s a blend of star power and depth, with each team boasting multiple double-figure scorers and versatile defenders.
How about some context? Last season, Minnesota swept the series against Cleveland, but the teams have split their last ten meetings. Both franchises are looking to prove they belong among the NBA’s elite this year. The Timberwolves, in particular, are hoping to build on back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals and finally break through to the NBA’s biggest stage. With a top-ten ranking in both offensive and defensive efficiency (eighth and sixth, respectively), Minnesota’s balanced attack is no fluke.
Defense could be the deciding factor tonight. The Cavaliers have been stingy during their recent run, but containing Anthony Edwards is a tall order. On the flip side, Minnesota’s defense—anchored by Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid—ranks fourth in the league in opponent rim percentage allowed. The Wolves are also adept at limiting three-point looks, a key consideration since the Cavaliers attempt 42% of their shots from beyond the arc, the fourth-highest rate in the NBA. If Cleveland can’t get hot from distance, they’ll have to challenge Minnesota’s interior wall, which is no easy feat.
Betting lines have Minnesota as a slight 2.5-point home favorite according to DraftKings and BetMGM, with the over/under set around 237.5 to 239.5 points. The money line favors the Timberwolves at -140, while the Cavaliers are +120 underdogs. Malik Smith of the New York Post likes the Wolves to cover up to -6, citing their home-court edge and Edwards’ offensive explosion. Still, with both teams playing inspired basketball, anything can happen—especially with Mitchell and Garland capable of catching fire at any moment.
Fans looking to catch the action have plenty of options: FanDuel Sports Network will broadcast the game, with streaming available through Fubo and DIRECTV, both offering free trials. The broadcast team features John Michael on play-by-play, Brad Daugherty as analyst, and Serena Winters reporting from the sidelines.
Looking ahead, the two teams will meet again in Cleveland on Saturday afternoon for the second leg of this home-and-home set. It’s a chance for both squads to make an early statement in 2026 and set the tone for the rest of the season. The Cavaliers are aiming to recapture last year’s regular-season dominance, while the Timberwolves are hungry to finally break through in the West.
So, who will seize the upper hand in this battle of rising contenders? With Anthony Edwards and Donovan Mitchell both healthy and ready to put on a show, fans are in for a treat. As the action tips off in Minneapolis, all eyes will be on the stars—and with both teams rolling, it’s anyone’s guess who’ll come out on top when the final buzzer sounds. For now, the stage is set for a thrilling NBA matchup that could have playoff implications down the line.