The Minnesota Timberwolves are unbeaten (3-0), having thrashed the Miami Heat (131:106) and the Orlando Magic (115:93), as well as beating the Toronto Raptors (117:94). The Cleveland Cavaliers, meanwhile, opened the season with a defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers (106:114), before narrowly overcoming the Brooklyn Nets (125:121) after squandering a 22-point lead in the final quarter. However, the hosts have won the last three meetings at the Rocket Arena.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers' main problem at the start of the season is their disastrous ball handling. They are averaging 22 turnovers per game, the worst figure in the league. Against the Brooklyn Nets, the Cavaliers held a 22-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter, but allowed their opponents back into the game and endured a nervy finish (125:121). The trio of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen have been productive, combining for averages of 63.5 points, 24 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 58.4% from the field, but the squad lacks depth. James Harden has yet to find his form, shooting 6 of 20 from the field across two games. As for absentees, Nae'Qwan Tomlin is out for 3-4 weeks, while Jarrett Allen is questionable for the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves because of a knee problem.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves look like one of the most balanced teams early in the season. Their average points differential across three wins is +23.3 per game, while their defence has allowed opponents just 97.7 points. Against the Toronto Raptors, the Timberwolves dominated the third quarter (35:15), while Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels were the only players to play more than 28 minutes. LaMelo Ball played just 17 minutes against the Raptors because of foul trouble, so he should be fresh for the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their only absentee is Donte DiVincenzo, who is still recovering from an Achilles injury and will return no earlier than mid-season. Their first back-to-back of the season is a risk factor, but the strength throughout the starting five and the excellent form of Anthony Edwards and his team-mates make the visitors dangerous.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
The Cleveland Cavaliers are playing at home and the bookmakers favour them, but their early-season form raises serious questions: they almost let victory slip against the Brooklyn Nets and lost to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Minnesota Timberwolves, meanwhile, are playing like title contenders, with the best points differential in the Western Conference, solid defence and squad depth, even on a back-to-back. The Cavaliers can make a game of it through the individual quality of Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, but maintaining a lead will be difficult against the Timberwolves' organised defence, given their own ball-handling problems. We will back the visitors with a positive handicap.
