Timberwolves face Cavaliers with Anthony Edwards in doubt
Cleveland holds a 5.5-point home advantage as the undefeated Minnesota squad looks to extend its winning streak.
By Alejandro Brooks ·
Minnesota Timberwolves fans will watch from a distance Monday night if guard Anthony Edwards does not play against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team listed Edwards as questionable for the game due to knee injury management. If he sits, the starting lineup will shift, altering the offensive load for the rest of the roster. The matchup serves as a test for a team that has not lost a game this season.
The betting markets reflect the uncertainty surrounding Edwards but still favor the home team. Cleveland is listed as a 5.5-point favorite at Rocket Arena. The total points line for the game is set at 231.5. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. These odds suggest bookmakers expect a competitive contest despite the visitors' perfect record.
The Timberwolves enter the game with a 3-0 record. They finished the previous season third in the Northwest Division with a 49-33 mark. Minnesota has won both of its away games this year. The Cavaliers hold a 1-1 record after defeating the Brooklyn Nets 125-121 on Saturday. Cleveland finished second in the Central Division last year with a 52-30 record. The team is 1-0 at home in the current season.
Anthony Edwards has been the primary scoring option for Minnesota. In three starts, he averages 28.7 points, five rebounds, 3.3 assists, and two steals over 31.3 minutes. Six other Timberwolves average at least 12 points per game. On the other side, Donovan Mitchell leads Cleveland. He averages 27 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and one block in 35.5 minutes across two starts.
A projection model that simulates games 10,000 times predicts a high-scoring affair. The model projects 236 combined points, which would exceed the current line. The over has hit in the last four meetings between these teams. It has also covered in five of Minnesota's last eight games and seven of Cleveland's last ten. The model notes that one side of the spread hits over 60% of the time in its simulations.
The outcome will determine if Minnesota remains unbeaten in its first two weeks of the 2026-27 season. The Cavaliers aim to improve to 2-1. The game will be played at Rocket Arena. The final score will provide early data on how both teams perform without or with their star guards available.
Source: CBS Sports
