Overview
- Tipoff is 8 p.m. ET at Target Center, with Minnesota 24-13 and Cleveland 21-17.
- Minnesota enters on a three-game win streak, including a 28-point win over Miami.
- The Timberwolves rank top-six in offensive, defensive and net ratings, fueling talk of true contention.
- Cleveland has won four of five after a 120-116 road win at Indiana, with Darius Garland scoring 29.
- The series begins a home-and-home that concludes Jan. 10 in Cleveland, with Max Strus out (foot) and conflicting reports on Terrence Shannon Jr.’s status.