OPENING TIP
The Cavaliers are on the road, and that's not a good thing. At least, it's not if you base it on the results so far (0-5). Minnesota will be a tougher place to win, too. The Timberwolves believe they're a playoff team this season, and that idea might be hard to argue. With a healthy Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio, they've already become a problem for opponents.
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis.
TV/Radio: 8 p.m. EST, FOX Sports Ohio/WTAM
PROJECTED STARTERS
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (3-5)
C Anderson Varejao
PF Tristan Thompson
SF Alonzo Gee
SG Dion Waiters
PG Kyrie Irving
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (5-3)
C Nikola Pekovic
PF Kevin Love
SF Corey Brewer
SG Kevin Martin
PG Ricky Rubio
Pregame notes:
• Andrew Bynum will miss tonight's game (and Friday's vs. Charlotte) for a family medical situation. Carrick Felix (sports hernia) is out for the Cavs. Ronny Turiaf (elbow) and Chase Budinger (knee) are out for the Timberwolves.
• Love enters the night averaging 26.4 points, 15.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists. His worst game of the season may have in last week's loss to the Cavs, where he finished with 17 points and 13 boards.
• The Wolves are 5-1 when scoring more than 100; and 0-3 when shooting less than 45 percent.
• They also outscored the Cavs 30-8 in fast-break points in their meeting nine days ago in Cleveland. Minnesota currently ranks second in the NBA in fast-break scoring (18.5 ppg).
• Martin is 24-of-43 on 3-pointers. That's the most threes ever by a Timberwolves player through eight games.
