Game Preview #54 – Timberwolves at Cavaliers

The Timberwolves are riding a three game winning streak as they head to Cleveland to take on the East-leading Cavaliers. Can the Wolves overcome their injuries to grind out a win against one of the league’s best?

Minnesota Timberwolves at Cleveland Cavaliers
Date: February 10th, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM CST
Location: Target Center
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM/Wolves App/iHeart Radio

The Wolves Find Their Groove and Now Face a Tall Task in Cleveland

Well, that’s one way to close out a homestand! After starting their five-game stretch at Target Center with back-to-back gut-punch losses to the Wizards and Kings, the Timberwolves showed some serious resilience, rallying to win three straight. What looked like a potential disaster early on turned into a much-needed stretch of good vibes and gritty basketball.

Now, though? Things get serious again. The Wolves are heading out on a road trip, and it starts with a tough one: the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers.

But before we look ahead, let’s appreciate what just happened. Anthony Edwards went full superhero mode, notching back-to-back 40-point performances against the Bulls and Rockets. Those games felt like a reminder: when Ant gets cooking, he’s one of the most unstoppable young stars in the league. And then, on Saturday night against the Trail Blazers, with Edwards, Mike Conley, Donte DiVincenzo, and Julius Randle all out, it was a total team effort. It wasn’t always pretty, but the Wolves fought back from a 14-point deficit, turned up the defensive intensity in the fourth quarter, and went on a 19-2 run to pull off the win.

If the game had a theme, it was hustle and heart. Rob Dillingham, Jaylen Clark, and Terrence Shannon Jr.—three rookies—got big minutes, and they delivered. It felt like a glimpse of the Wolves’ future, even as they’re trying to stay competitive in the present. Jaylen Clark continues to emerge as a legitimate rotation player, bringing energy and defense, while Terrence Shannon Jr. and Rob Dillingham both stepped up big and made plays that sent Target Center into a frenzy.

And now? The Wolves remain at 6th in the West, just above the play-in bubble. It’s not exactly where they hoped to be at this point in the season, but given the injuries and midseason ups and downs, it’s not a bad spot. They’re still within striking distance of teams like the Lakers, Nuggets, and Rockets. But with a brutal schedule ahead—Cavs, Bucks, and Thunder on tap—things could turn south in a hurry.

The Cavs: A Tough Test, But Not Unbeatable

Let’s talk about the Cavaliers. They’re still sitting at the top of the East, but they’ve been showing some cracks lately. This isn’t the same juggernaut we saw early in the season. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are still lethal, and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen make life miserable for opposing bigs. But they’ve dropped a few games they probably shouldn’t have. They’re beatable.

The last time these two teams met, it was mid-January. The Wolves hung tough for three quarters before running out of gas in the fourth, playing on the second night of a back-to-back after a hard-fought win at Madison Square Garden. The Cavs took control late and cruised to victory.

Things are different now. The Wolves’ confidence is higher, and their defense—especially in crunch time—has been much better over the past two weeks. But the key will be whether or not Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards can suit up.

Both are listed as game-time decisions. If they can go, it should be a fun, competitive matchup. If they’re out? It’s a tall order to expect the Wolves to win this one, especially with Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo still sidelined.

Keys to the Game

1. Defense, Defense, Defense

The Cavs’ backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland can light it up in a hurry. Last time these teams played, Mitchell had an absolute field day, scoring at will. If the Wolves let him get hot again, it’ll be a long night. Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Jalen Clark will need to swarm the Cavs’ guards, contest every shot, and make life difficult for them.

2. Control the Paint

Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid will have their hands full with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. This is where Julius Randle’s absence really hurts. The Wolves can’t afford to get bullied on the boards or give up second-chance points.

3. Take Care of the Ball

Turnovers have been an issue for the Wolves all season. They got a bit sloppy against Houston and Portland, and the Cavs will absolutely punish lazy passes and bad decisions. Mike Conley’s presence would be huge here, but even if he’s out, the Wolves need to limit the mistakes.

4. Anthony Edwards Needs to Shine

This one’s obvious. If Edwards plays, he’s got to be the best player on the court. We saw what he can do against Chicago and Houston—40-point games, attacking the rim, hitting threes, and making big plays when it matters most.

He’s dealing with some hip soreness, which is understandable after all the contact he took in those games. If he’s not 100%, the Wolves might need to lean on Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid for some extra offense—which isn’t ideal, but hey, it’s better than throwing up contested threes and hoping for the best.

Final Thoughts

Let’s be real: nobody’s going to fault the Wolves if they lose this game. It’s on the road, against one of the best teams in the league, and they’re dealing with a ton of injuries. But if they can steal this one? It could be a game-changer.

These are the kind of games that help you climb the standings and give you confidence heading into the stretch run. If the Wolves can somehow pull this one off—and maybe even win two of their next three against Cleveland, Milwaukee, and OKC—suddenly they’re right back in the thick of the Western Conference race.

For now, though, it’s all about digging deep and finding a way to stay competitive. The Wolves have shown they’re capable of gritty, gutsy wins. Let’s see if they’ve got one more in them.