Cleveland @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2018 ) Minnesota 102, Cleveland 95

The Minnesota Timberwolves used extra time to snap a disastrous 11-game losing streak last time out and look to string together wins for the first time since just before Thanksgiving when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night. The Timberwolves outlasted Sacramento 105-104 in double overtime Thursday to end a four-game trip, allowing the fewest points since their last win on Nov. 27.

“I’m very happy with where we were defensively,” Minnesota coach Ryan Saunders told reporters after the victory. “I thought we did a lot of great things tonight - that’s the reason why we won the game. Our offense was not pretty, but we found ways. That locker room deserves to feel good.” Timberwolves leading scorer and rebounder Karl-Anthony Towns (26.5, 11.7) has missed the last five games with a knee injury and his status for Saturday is uncertain as Minnesota goes after its fourth win in the past five meetings with the Cavaliers. Cleveland had won a season-high three straight contests before falling 129-117 at Boston on Friday despite a 30-point effort from All-Star forward Kevin Love, who spent the first six seasons of his career with the Timberwolves. Guard Dante Exum scored nine points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field in 15 minutes off the bench in his debut with the Cavaliers on Friday after being acquired from Utah in the deal for Jordan Clarkson.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cleveland), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (9-22): Love is averaging 21.8 points over his last four games and second-year guard Collin Sexton scored a combined 46 in the past two contests for Cleveland after managing nine in a win over Memphis on Dec. 20. Rookie guard Kevin Porter Jr. has scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the second time this season after pouring in 15 points against Atlanta on Monday and recording 16 on Friday - connecting on 12-of-19 from the field combined. Rookie point guard Darius Garland was held to two points on 1-of-7 from the field Friday after totaling 35 in the previous two contests.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (11-19): Small forward Andrew Wiggins registered his first double-double of the season in Thursday’s win with 18 points and 10 rebounds and is scoring 24.8 per game overall - second behind Towns. Point guard Jeff Teague tops the team in assists (6.5) and is averaging 14.5 points over the last four contests while forward Robert Covington scored 19 on Thursday after totaling just 17 in the previous three games. Center Gorgui Dieng produced season highs of 21 points and 15 boards in the victory at Sacramento - well above his season averages of 6.6 and 5.1, respectively.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Cleveland F Cedi Osman had 10 points Friday and is averaging 14.2 over his last five contests.

2. The Timberwolves entered Friday 29th in the league in 3-point shooting percentage (32.2).

3. Cavaliers PF Larry Nance Jr. had two points and four rebounds in 18 minutes Friday after missing one game with a knee injury.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 108, Cavaliers 98