NBA · Final

Timberwolves Edge Cavaliers in High-Scoring Affair

122

131

Thursday, January 8, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · Target Center

Minnesota Timberwolves 131, Cleveland Cavaliers 122, final. Our NBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves?

Minnesota Timberwolves beat Cleveland Cavaliers 131-122 at Target Center on January 8, 2026.

Who was favored in Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves?

Minnesota Timberwolves were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -148 (about 60% implied). The favorite won.

The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 131-122 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Target Center, marking a significant win that extends their lead in the season series to 2-0. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as the Timberwolves, with a home record of 25-13, showcased their strong performance in front of their fans, while the Cavaliers, now 21-19 away from home, struggled to keep pace despite a commendable effort.

In their last ten games, the Timberwolves have recorded a 7-3 record, currently riding a three-game winning streak. They have averaged 120.1 points per game while allowing 112.7, demonstrating a solid offensive and defensive balance. In contrast, the Cavaliers have also shown competitive form with a 6-4 record over their last ten games, including a recent win against the Indiana Pacers. They have averaged 121.4 points scored and allowed 118.1, indicating their capacity to score but also their vulnerability on defense.

The Timberwolves have been particularly effective at home, boasting a 4-1 record in their last five games, averaging 125.2 points while allowing 110.2. The Cavaliers, while having a respectable away record of 2-2 in their last five games, have not been as dominant on the road. The Timberwolves' recent home performance included a decisive win against the Miami Heat just two days prior, where they triumphed 122-94, further solidifying their confidence heading into this game.

Historically, the Timberwolves have had the upper hand in their recent meetings with the Cavaliers, leading the series 1-0 this season. Their previous encounters in the 2025 season saw the Timberwolves lose both games, but this time they managed to reverse their fortunes. The injury report for Minnesota listed Donte DiVincenzo as out due to an Achilles injury, which could have impacted their depth but did not hinder their performance in this game.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Timberwolves favored by 3.5 points, with a total set at 239.5. The odds reflected a competitive matchup, and the final score suggests that the game was indeed closely contested, with the Timberwolves managing to cover the spread. The home money line was listed at -148.0, while the Cavaliers were at +124.0, indicating a belief in a Timberwolves victory but acknowledging the Cavaliers' potential.

The game took place under favorable conditions, contributing to an exciting atmosphere at Target Center. Fans witnessed a high-paced game with numerous scoring plays that kept the excitement alive until the final moments. Key plays from the fourth quarter included a critical three-pointer from Jaden McDaniels and a driving layup by Anthony Edwards, both of which helped the Timberwolves maintain their lead as the Cavaliers attempted to close the gap.

As the game progressed, the Timberwolves capitalized on their home advantage, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they executed crucial plays that ultimately sealed the victory. The Cavaliers, despite their efforts, could not overcome the Timberwolves' late-game execution, which included a running dunk by McDaniels that brought the score to 131-122, solidifying the Timberwolves' win.

Fans and analysts alike will be keen to watch how both teams adapt following this encounter, particularly the Cavaliers as they look to bounce back from this defeat and the Timberwolves as they aim to continue their winning momentum.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	MIN -3.5	239.5 o -110 / u -110	Cleveland Cavaliers +124 · Minnesota Timberwolves -148

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Injury report

Donte DiVincenzoOutAchillesMinnesota Timberwolves

Leaders

PointsJulius Randle28Minnesota Timberwolves
AssistsAnthony Edwards9Minnesota Timberwolves
ReboundsRudy Gobert13Minnesota Timberwolves
PointsDonovan Mitchell30Cleveland Cavaliers
AssistsDonovan Mitchell8Cleveland Cavaliers
ReboundsJarrett Allen10Cleveland Cavaliers

Recent form

Minnesota Timberwolves

Last 10: 7-3Streak W3120.1 scored · 112.7 allowed per game4-1 at home

W122-94vs Miami HeatJan 7
W141-115at Washington WizardsJan 4
W125-115at Miami HeatJan 3
L102-126at Atlanta HawksDec 31
W136-101at Chicago BullsDec 30
L107-123vs Brooklyn NetsDec 28
L138-142at Denver NuggetsDec 26
W115-104vs New York KnicksDec 24
W103-100vs Milwaukee BucksDec 22
W112-107vs Oklahoma City ThunderDec 20

Cleveland Cavaliers

Last 10: 6-4Streak W1121.4 scored · 118.1 allowed per game2-2 away

W120-116at Indiana PacersJan 7
L110-114vs Detroit PistonsJan 4
W113-108vs Denver NuggetsJan 3
W129-113vs Phoenix SunsDec 31
W113-101at San Antonio SpursDec 30
L100-117at Houston RocketsDec 28
L124-126at New York KnicksDec 25
W141-118vs New Orleans PelicansDec 24
W139-132vs Charlotte HornetsDec 23
L125-136vs Chicago BullsDec 20

Standings

Team	Games behind	Lost	Streak	Win %	Won
Detroit	-	22	W3	.732	60
Cleveland	8	30	W1	.634	52
Milwaukee	28	50	L1	.390	32
Chicago	29	51	L2	.378	31
Indiana	41	63	L2	.232	19
Oklahoma City	-	18	L2	.780	64
Denver	10	28	W12	.659	54
Minnesota	15	33	W2	.598	49
Portland	22	40	W2	.512	42
Utah	42	60	L1	.268	22

Box score

Stat	Cleveland Cavaliers	Minnesota Timberwolves
Field goals	48-91	51-89
Field goal %	53	57
Three-pointers	11-33	20-38
Three-point %	33	53
Free throws	15-21	9-17
Free throw %	71	53
Rebounds	38	45
Offensive rebounds	9	10
Defensive rebounds	29	35
Assists	31	33
Steals	9	8
Blocks	2	2
Turnovers	12	17
Team turnovers	1	0
Technical fouls	1	1
Technical fouls, total	1	1
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	14	24
Fast-break points	22	20
Points in the paint	66	50
Fouls	17	21
Largest lead	9	20
Lead changes	4	4
Time in front	27	72

How the scoring went

3rd Quarter79-92De'Andre Hunter makes 6-foot fade away jump shot (Jaylon Tyson assists)
3rd Quarter79-94Julius Randle makes driving layup
3rd Quarter79-96Anthony Edwards makes 12-foot two point shot
3rd Quarter79-98Julius Randle makes two point shot (Anthony Edwards assists)
3rd Quarter80-98Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
3rd Quarter82-98Donovan Mitchell makes 8-foot driving floating jump shot
3rd Quarter82-101Anthony Edwards makes 24-foot three point jumper (Julius Randle assists)
3rd Quarter84-101De'Andre Hunter makes 9-foot fade away jump shot (Donovan Mitchell assists)
3rd Quarter84-104Jaylen Clark makes 22-foot three point jumper (Naz Reid assists)
3rd Quarter86-104De'Andre Hunter makes 11-foot pullup jump shot (Donovan Mitchell assists)
3rd Quarter86-106Jaylen Clark makes 7-foot driving floating jump shot (Julius Randle assists)
3rd Quarter89-106Donovan Mitchell makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot (Sam Merrill assists)
4th Quarter92-106Evan Mobley makes 25-foot three point jumper (Darius Garland assists)
4th Quarter92-108Bones Hyland makes 14-foot pullup jump shot (Rudy Gobert assists)
4th Quarter94-108Darius Garland makes 8-foot driving floating jump shot
4th Quarter96-108Donovan Mitchell makes 10-foot driving floating jump shot (De'Andre Hunter assists)
4th Quarter96-111Naz Reid makes 25-foot three point jumper (Bones Hyland assists)
4th Quarter98-111Jarrett Allen makes 6-foot floating jump shot (Darius Garland assists)
4th Quarter98-114Naz Reid makes 25-foot running jump shot (Donte DiVincenzo assists)
4th Quarter100-114Donovan Mitchell makes two point shot
4th Quarter103-114Donovan Mitchell makes 26-foot running jump shot (Darius Garland assists)
4th Quarter103-116Anthony Edwards makes 13-foot step back jumpshot (Naz Reid assists)
4th Quarter105-116Sam Merrill makes tip shot
4th Quarter105-118Donte DiVincenzo makes two point shot
4th Quarter107-118De'Andre Hunter makes two point shot (Donovan Mitchell assists)
4th Quarter107-120Julius Randle makes dunk (Rudy Gobert assists)
4th Quarter108-120Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter109-120Donovan Mitchell makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter112-120Sam Merrill makes 22-foot three point jumper (Evan Mobley assists)
4th Quarter112-121Jaden McDaniels makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter113-121De'Andre Hunter makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter114-121De'Andre Hunter makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter117-121Sam Merrill makes 25-foot running pullup jump shot (Darius Garland assists)
4th Quarter117-123Anthony Edwards makes driving layup
4th Quarter117-126Jaden McDaniels makes 24-foot three point jumper (Anthony Edwards assists)
4th Quarter120-126Sam Merrill makes 25-foot three pointer
4th Quarter122-126Evan Mobley makes running dunk (De'Andre Hunter assists)
4th Quarter122-128Jaden McDaniels makes 15-foot pullup jump shot
4th Quarter122-129Julius Randle makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter122-131Jaden McDaniels makes running dunk (Anthony Edwards assists)

Win probability

Above the line favours Minnesota Timberwolves, below favours Cleveland Cavaliers.