1 – Allen and Garland
The Cavs combination of Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen combined for 67 of the 113 Cleveland points total.
2 – Free throws
A significant difference in the game was the charity strike, as the Cavs took 14 more free throws than the Timberwolves.
3 – Injury latest
Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, and Evan Mobley are all still out with injuries. There’s hope that Mitchell might be coming back for Sunday’s tilt against Brooklyn.
On Friday night, Darius Garland lit up the scoreboard with 34 points, while Jarrett Allen dominated the paint with a career-best 33 points and an impressive 18 rebounds. Despite missing key starters due to injuries, the injury-riddled Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off a thrilling 113-104 overtime victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who boasted the NBA’s top road record.
Allen’s performance was particularly stellar, sinking a career-high 15 free throws, including 14 crucial ones after halftime. His 10 points in overtime proved decisive as the Cavs outpaced the Timberwolves 16-7 in the extra period.
Despite being without Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus, Cleveland managed to outplay the Western Conference leaders. The Timberwolves, likely fatigued from a close win against Indiana the previous night, couldn’t match the Cavaliers’ determination.
Minnesota’s efforts were led by Naz Reid, who recorded a career-high 34 points, and Anthony Edwards, who contributed 19 points despite a tough shooting night. The absence of their coach, Chris Finch, who fell ill before the game, didn’t help matters. Assistant coach Micah Nori stepped in to lead the team in his absence.
The Cavs received an unexpected boost when Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert was hit with a technical foul in the final seconds of the game. Gobert’s gesture towards the officials led to the decisive free throw by Garland, tying the game at 97. Although Edwards had a chance to win it for the Timberwolves in regulation, his shot fell short at the buzzer.
Adding to Minnesota’s woes, they were missing their star center Karl-Anthony Towns, who was sidelined with a scheduled knee surgery. Edwards, coming off a stellar 44-point performance in the previous game, couldn’t replicate his heroics but did entertain with a dunk over Allen, drawing a technical foul in the process.
Meanwhile, Mitchell continued his recovery from a left knee injury, missing his third consecutive game. Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff provided an update on Mitchell’s progress, indicating positive steps forward in his rehabilitation process.
Host Nets on Sunday.
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