Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 01/10/26

You’ve probably heard the cliché “it’s hard to beat the same team twice.” Now apply it to a back-to-back rematch, and that challenge gets even tougher. Minnesota just beat Cleveland by nine two days ago in Minneapolis, and that’s what the market will remember. But this is not the same setup. That’s why Cleveland is favored here with all things considered.

For one, the venue flips to Cleveland, and that matters since the T-Wolves have a strong home court presence. Second, the first game wasn’t as it appears – it swung on one defining stretch. These teams were essentially deadlocked at halftime before Minnesota detonated in the third quarter with 43 points, while Cleveland managed only 22. That quarter created the separation. Outside of that frame, the Cavaliers more than held their own. In fact, they nearly came back, cutting a 19-point deficit late in the third down to four points with a minute left. That rally is significant because it shows Cleveland can solve Minnesota’s looks and win stretches of basketball against them.

The key here is immediacy: Cleveland doesn’t have to “learn lessons over a week.” They get the rematch immediately, at home, with clear adjustments. Take away one disastrous quarter and the Cavs win — possibly comfortably. Because of recency bias, Cleveland is easy to fade. That’s why the value sits on them even here as the chalk.

Timberwolves vs Cavaliers prediction: Cavaliers -2.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to -3.

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