Cleveland Cavaliers (2-1) beat Minnesota Timberwolves (3-1) 127-125 at home on Monday, October 26 in overtime.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Timberwolves had the better start, winning the first 31-24 to lead by 7 after one. The Timberwolves kept the pressure on with a 29-26 second quarter, carrying a 10-point lead into halftime.
The Cavaliers won the third 36-26 to pull even, leaving the game tied at 86 entering the fourth. The teams matched each other with 27 points apiece in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime at 113.
The Cavaliers finally separated the teams in overtime, winning it 14-12 to close out a 127-125 victory.
What decided it
The Cavaliers took better care of the ball, turning it over on 9.1% of possessions compared with 15.4% for the Timberwolves. The Cavaliers made 16.7 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 14.1 for the Timberwolves. In a 2-point game, those extra possessions were crucial.
The Timberwolves did win one battle, second chances: ORB% of 30.6% against 26%. The Cavaliers made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 110 possessions per team, the Cavaliers produced 115.3 points per 100 possessions to 113.5 for the Timberwolves.
Who stepped up
Anthony Edwards was the game's biggest individual force for MIN: 47 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast on 19-33 shooting. His Game Score of 32.3 led everyone. His team was +11 with him on the floor.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 26 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast on 10-21 shooting, good for a 22 Game Score.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 59% for the Cavaliers.
Across the last 4 meetings in our records, Cleveland Cavaliers lead 3-1.
The Cavaliers are now 2-1, and the Timberwolves are 3-1. The Cavaliers last five before this game: L-L-L-L-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.