Game Info
Who: Minnesota Timberwolves (1-0)
When: 8:00 PM (ET)
Where: Target Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
TV/Radio: FSOHIO HD, WTAM 1100
Lineups/Coaches
T’Wolves (Kurt Rambis): Jonny Flynn, Corey Brewer, Damien Wilkins, Ryan Gomes, Al Jefferson
Cavs (Mike Brown): Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, LeBron James, Anderson Varejao, Shaquille O’Neal
Injuries
T’Wolves: Kevin Love (Hand Surgery)
Cavs: Leon Powe (Knee Surgery), Delonte West (Personal Matters)
Game Notes
* The Cavaliers will finish their first road trip of the season tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team holds a seven-game overall winning streak against Minnesota, including a two-game series sweep last season and the last four games played at the Target Center. This overall streak is the tied with Memphis as the team’s longest active winning streak against any opponent. The road winning streak is tied for second with Sacramento for the team’s longest road streak, trailing only Philadelphia at five games.
* Last season’s two wins against the Wolves was by an average margin of 22.5 points. Last season’s 93-70 win at Minnesota, LeBron James scored 32 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals and Anderson Varejao tallied a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
* Through two games, LeBron James has scored 61 points, which matches his career-best from the 2006-07 season. With 27 points tonight, he would set a new mark of 88 points scored through the first three games of a season. He scored 87 in the 2005-06 season.
* Despite the loss on Wednesday, the Cavaliers are 12-3 (.800) against Toronto, which the best record of any Eastern Conference team
in the last four years. Only three other teams have a winning record against the Raptors (Detroit, Boston and Chicago).
* Against Toronto, LeBron James recorded his 25th career triple-double (20-5) and his third against the Raptors with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. James is the first Raptors opponent to have three regular season three-doubles (Nov. 24, 2007 – 37 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists) and (April 20, 2005 – 27 points, 14 rebounds, 14 assists) and two of the three have been in Toronto.
* James’ 12 assists are also the most the Raptors have ever given up to one player in a season opener. James has averaged 29.2 points per game at Toronto throughout his career (11 games), the most of any player all-time (minimum of two games).
* Against Toronto, four other Cavaliers notched double-figures led by Mo Williams’ 16 points in 40 minutes. He also added six rebounds and in two games is averaging 14.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 37.5 minutes (3rd highest on team).
* Shaquille O’Neal chipped in with 12 points and seven rebounds on Wednesday and through two games, is averaging 11.0 points and 8.5 rebounds in 29 minutes. O’Neal is second among active players with a career mark of 26.1 ppg (44 games) versus Minnesota, trailing only Allen Iverson at 26.7 ppg.
* Anthony Parker, in his return to Toronto, added 12 points and five rebounds, and is averaging 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in two games while playing 39.5 minutes, (2nd highest on team).
* On Wednesday, Daniel Gibson led the Cleveland bench with 12 points, three rebounds and three assists. Gibson connected on 4-8 (.500) of his three-point attempts. For the season, Gibson is averaging 7.0 points off the bench. Jamario Moon, in his return to Toronto, added nine points and six rebounds in 19 minutes.
What 2 Watch 4
1. Intensity – The Cavs have looked flat the past few games except for turning it up only when they got down and needed to expend a lot of energy to get back into the game. The Cavs need to consistently play hard throughout the game in order get a win.
2. Chemistry – The chemistry still isn’t there. It’s still early in the season but the Cavs need to start coming together in order to become a better team.
3. Rotations – Mike Brown needs to pick out certain rotations and stick with them, no more different lineups all throughout the game. Consistency in the lineups will help with chemistry, the previous key, and will help the players get more comfortable.
The Pick: Cavs 101, T’Wolves 88
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