Under the leadership of head coach Tom Thibodeau and general manager Scott Layden, the Minnesota Timberwolves NBA betting fans are enjoying a breakout season. In his second season on the job Thibodeau has made the Wolves an appealing choice to those betting on NBA games and Minnesota is on the cusp of its first playoff berth since 2004. The Cleveland Cavaliers remain one of the absolute worst betting values on the NBA board and a classic “go against” team. Despite their lack of betting value, the Cavs are a certain Eastern Conference playoff team. The Cavs host the Wolves on Wednesday.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Date and Time: Wednesday February 7, 2018, 8 p.m. Eastern
Location: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
Timberwolves -4 (-110) 221 (-110) -175
Cavaliers +4 (-110) 221 (-110) +155
Timberwolves vs. Cavaliers TV Coverage: ESPN
Minnesota
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a record of 34-22 straight up and 28-26-2 against the spread for those betting on NBA games. They lead the Northwest Division by three games over Oklahoma City. The Wolves are in good form with four payouts in their last five games. The under has paid out in four out of those five games. In their last game the Wolves scored a 118-107 home payout over the New Orleans Pelicans as eight point chalks. Offensively the Timberwolves rank sixth in the NBA while ranking 15th for defense. Jimmy Butler leads the Wolves with a team best 22.1 points per game. He scored 30 points in the win over New Orleans.
Cleveland
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a record of 30-21 straight up and 14-36-1 against the spread. On their home court the Cavs have just five payouts out of 26 games. In their last ten games the Cavaliers have just two payouts. The under has hit in just two out of Cleveland’s last seven games. Defense has been a big drag for the Cavs and their betting value. Cleveland ranks 26th in the NBA for scoring defense but fifth for offense. LeBron James leads the Cavs with 26.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. The Houston Rockets annihilated Cleveland in a 120-88 win at the Quicken Loans Arena as 3.5 point favorites. James was held to 11 points in the loss to Houston. In the Central Division race Cleveland holds a slim two game lead over Milwaukee.
Team vs. Team
Despite their lack of sportsbook value, the Cavs have enjoyed a strong run against the Wolves with the odds. In the last seven meetings in his head to head series the Cavaliers have paid five times. The over has hit in seven out of the last eight games between the Wolves and Cavs. But Minnesota has had their best betting value in this series at Cleveland. The Wolves have come away with the cash in four out of their last six games against the Cavs at Quicken Loans Arena. The last three meetings at Cleveland between the Wolves and Cavs have gone over the total.
Matchup to Watch
This matchup for those betting on NBA games offers the balance and grit of Minnesota against a Cleveland team that takes too many defensive possessions off. The Cavs lazy defense is a big factor in their lack of betting value.
Timberwolves vs. Cavaliers NBA games Betting Odds Picks
Minnesota is in better form and has proven value at Cleveland.
NBA Betting Online Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA Betting Online Score Prediction: Timberwolves 100, Cavaliers 99
Check out the highlights of the Wolves win over the Pelicans.