The struggles of just a few weeks ago are a fading memory for the Cleveland Cavs (29-20), who have won a season-high nine straight and sit just 1.5 games behind the Chicago Bulls for the Central Division lead.
Cleveland is an odds-on favorite to make it ten straight on Saturday night at the Minnesota Timberwolves (8-38) in Kevin Love's first game back at the Target Center as a member of the opposing team.
Projected Starting Lineups
G Kyrie Irving – 22.1 ppg, 5.2 apg
G J.R. Smith – 14.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg
F LeBron James – 26.2 ppg, 7.3 apg, 5.5 rpg
F Kevin Love – 17.2 ppg, 10.3 rpg
C Timofey Mozgov– 9.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg
G Zach LaVine – 8.2 ppg, 3.4 apg
G Andrew Wiggins – 15.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg
F Thaddeus Young – 14.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg
F Gorgui Dieng – 10.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg
C Nikola Pekovic – 12.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg
What to watch for:
How does Love respond?
Kevin Love's critics have been quick to hammer him for his decreased production with Cleveland in 2014-15, but he's still averaging a double-double while steadily asserting his role on the streaking Cavs. His long-awaited return to Minnesota as a member of the enemy could be a huge watershed moment for that progress, provided he's able to put the inevitable boos behind him and dominate the shorthanded TWolves like he's more than capable of doing.
Hello Mr. Wiggins...
The headliner of Minnesota's return for Love in this offseason's three-team trade, 2014 #1 draft pick Andrew Wiggins has shown more than just flashes of the otherworldly athletic talent that made him so coveted by Cavs management prior to the 2014 NBA Draft. He's already a legitimate game-changer at the young age of 19, and he'll be extra motivated on Saturday to prove his worth to the team that dealt him away - regardless of what he'll admit to publicly.
Prediction: Cavs win 105-97
The Timberwolves will bring their A-game with all of the added storyline punch to this one, but their top-shelf game is no match for the Cavs at 3/4 tilt, let alone full-throttle. Expect the Wolves to keep this too close for comfort for three quarters before the Cavs seal their 10th straight W in front of a hostile crowd in Minneapolis.
Follow our Cleveland Cavs team page for the latest Cavs news!
Back to the Cleveland Cavaliers Newsfeed