Overview
- Tip-off is 8 p.m. ET at Target Center for the first leg of a two-game set, with the rematch in Cleveland on Jan. 10.
- Anthony Edwards is listed as questionable for right foot injury maintenance, while Cleveland lists Darius Garland as questionable with a right hand contusion.
- Cleveland remains short-handed: Max Strus is out (foot), Dean Wade is out (knee), Larry Nance Jr. is questionable (calf), and Jaylon Tyson is probable (illness).
- Oddsmakers favor Minnesota by roughly 2.5 to 3 points with a high total near 237–240; the game airs on FanDuel Sports Network and NBA League Pass.
- Minnesota has won three straight, ranks top six in offensive, defensive and net ratings, and leans on free-throw pressure and Rudy Gobert’s defense as Cleveland emphasizes ball security and big-man involvement.