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The 27-16 Cleveland Cavaliers traveled up to Minnesota to take on the 21-22 Timberwolves. This game was the final leg of a 10-day road trip. They lost 110-102 as they fell to 2-3 on the trip.
Minnesota had an uphill battle as they were without key player Karl Anthony-Towns. Kyle Anderson took his normal spot in the starting lineup.
The Cavs won the tipoff but looked sloppy off the bat. They had five turnovers within the first six minutes of the game. They were only able to get 5 shots off and a few free throws because of this.
The Timberwolves looked sharp and energetic off the bat. They were hustling and not turning the ball over early.
Ricky Rubio checked in a little past the halfway point of the quarter. He was met with a standing ovation. Rubio played his second game in over a year since his ACL tear. He had spent the first 6 years of his career in Minnesota.
The rest of the quarter was better for the Cavs. Despite the rough start they were only down by two at the end of first, 27-25.
Jarrett Allen led the way for Cleveland in the first quarter, scoring 7 points. Anthony Edwards was the big name for the Wolves with 14 points.
The second quarter ended with the Cavs on top 54-49. They started off the quarter on fire as they built up a 9 point lead. A questionable transition take foul on Cedi Osman slowed the Cavs down as Minnesota climbed back into it. The final two minutes were all Cavs again.
The big players for the Cavs were Allen and Evan Mobley in the first half. Allen had 11 points with 4 rebounds and 2 blocks in the half while Mobley had 10 points and 4 boards before going down with a knee injury. He would miss the start of the second half, but came back before the third quarter ended.
Caris Levert was also a stud. It felt like he was everywhere on the court with his defensive intensity.
For Minnesota it was their potential all-stars leading the way in Edwards and Rudy Gobert. Edwards had 17 points to lead all scorers while Gobert had 6 and 4 rebounds. Gobert did not play in the second half with a sore groin.
The third continued to be streaky for the Cavs. They went on a nice stretch early behind a good outing from Darius Garland and Caris Levert, but they would slow down as the quarter ended.
The Wolves were led by Naz Reid as he filled in for Gobert. He had 12 points by the end of the third.
The fourth quarter was all Timberwolves. Luka Garza scored 7 fast point in the quarter. They hit big shot after big shot and kept the Cavs at a pace they weren’t comfortable with. This helped them cruise to a win.
The key players for the Cavs were Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Both players finished with a statline of 19 points and 8 rebounds.
The key players for the Timberwolves were Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid. Edwards finished with 26/6/7 while Reid had 17 and 7 boards.
The Cavs will finally be back at home Monday against the 26-17 New Orleans Pelicans.
Minnesota will look to build on a two game winning streak when they take on the 22-23 Utah Jazz at home Monday.
