Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Odds, Analysis, NBA Betting Pick
Jimmy Butler hopes to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers (30-22) for an eighth consecutive time on Wednesday when his Minnesota Timberwolves (34-22) visit Quicken Loans Arena.
Butler has been on the winning side the last seven times he has faced LeBron James and the Cavaliers between playing for the Timberwolves this season and the Chicago Bulls previously.
Point spread: The Cavaliers opened as 1.5-point favorites; the total is at 224.5, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)
NBA betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 113.3-101.4, Timberwolves (NBA picks on every game)
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Why the Timberwolves can cover the spread
Minnesota dominated the last meeting 127-99 as a one-point home underdog back on January 8, and it wasn't even that close because Cleveland had a 32-25 advantage in the fourth quarter.
In that game, former Cavs top draft pick Andrew Wiggins scored a game-high 25 points while Butler added 21 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
The Timberwolves had lost the previous six meetings in the series without Butler dating back to 2014, going 1-5 against the spread, according to the OddsShark NBA Database.
Why the Cavaliers can cover the spread
This is a big test for Cleveland, especially because it will be another nationally televised game. The Cavaliers have dropped eight in a row on national TV by an average of 18 points, prompting James to say his team should be removed from such games for the rest of the year.
That will not happen, obviously, since Cleveland remains one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference despite some recent struggles. The Cavaliers simply need to rally around the skid and realize they are a much better team than that.
Smart betting pick
Minnesota will have the benefit of extra rest in this spot while Cleveland will be playing on back-to-back nights. The Cavaliers have lost two of three straight up and failed to cover each of those when playing the second game of a back-to-back, and the Timberwolves have been off since Saturday.
That is one of the main reasons the road team has become a favorite here against the defending Eastern Conference champions. Cleveland has not fared well in this role, either, going 4-9 SU and ATS in its last 13 games as a home underdog, including 1-4 SU and ATS in its past five. Bet on Minnesota.
NBA betting trends
Minnesota is 4-1 ATS in its last five games.
Cleveland is 2-13 ATS in its last 15 games.
Cleveland is 5-19-1 ATS in its last 25 games at home.
All NBA odds and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.
