Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Cleveland Cavaliers - 1/5/20 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Date: Sunday, January 5, 2020

Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH

TV: Fox Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Cleveland -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 222

Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves (13-21, 5th in the Northwest Division) go to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Sunday where they'll take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (10-24, 5th in the Central Division). Minnesota opens this game as 1.5 point dogs. The O/U is set at 222.

The Timberwolves are covering the spread 43.8% of the time, having gone 14-18-2 ATS. Cleveland is covering 42.4% of the time, going 14-19-1 against the spread.

Key Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries

01/03/20 SG Treveon Graham Illness is questionable Sunday vs Cleveland
01/03/20 SF Jake Layman Shoulder is questionable Sunday vs Cleveland
01/03/20 PG Jeff Teague Knee is questionable Sunday vs Cleveland
01/03/20 C Karl-Anthony Towns Knee is questionable Sunday vs Cleveland
01/03/20 PF Noah Vonleh Gluteus is questionable Sunday vs Cleveland
01/03/20 SF Andrew Wiggins Illness is questionable Sunday vs Cleveland

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

01/03/20 PF Larry Nance Jr. Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Andrew Wiggins averages 24.8 points per game in 35.8 minutes per contest. He averages 3.3 assists per contest and 5.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 75%. Karl-Anthony Towns comes into this contest averaging 26.5 points per game while playing 33.9 minutes per night. He pulls down 11.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Player Spotlight

Collin Sexton averages 18.1 points per game and he sees the court an average of 30.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.1 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 82%. Tristan Thompson averages 12.6 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per contest. He grabs 10.2 rebounds per game and has 2.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 60%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Timberwolves allow 114.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 20th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.7 rebounds a game which ranks 30th, and they give up 23.6 assists per contest which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 15.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league. Minnesota averages 111.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.0 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 29th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 29th in the league. They average 46.8 rebounds per game and 21.9 assists per contest, which ranks them 6th and 24th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 12th with 15.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Cavaliers surrender 113.2 points per contest, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 49% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 27th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 25.7 assists allowed per contest, and 6th with 43.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cavaliers are 4th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.9 per game. Cleveland is 27th in the league with 104.4 points per game this year. They are 22nd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -8.8. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They are 20th in the league in rebounding with 44.3 boards per game and 27th in assists per contest with 21.4. The Cavaliers are 3rd in turnovers per game with 16.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Timberwolves are 23rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.4, and their defensive rating of 109.3 is ranked 16th. In terms of pace they are 7th in the league with 102.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shots, ranking 4th in the league. Minnesota is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 16th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland is 4th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 56%, which is 2nd in the NBA. The Cavaliers are 26th in the league in defensive rating with 114.1, and their offensive rating of 105.2 is ranked 29th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 23rd. As a unit they are 23rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Timberwolves/Cavaliers NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Minnesota +1.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here