MINNEAPOLIS — No comeback this time.
The Cavs, who have become known for furious late-game rallies, came up short on Thursday night, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 131-122.
For Cleveland, this game followed a familiar script — apart from the ending.
The Timberwolves scored nine of the first 11. They outscored the Cavs 17-5 in the first three and a half minutes. Even though Cleveland took its first lead of the night at the 1:24 mark of the first quarter, it lasted just 24 seconds.
But the Cavs opened the second quarter on a 14-5 surge, building an eight-point lead as Rudy Gobert and De’Andre Hunter — who needed to be separated earlier in the game, receiving double fouls and double technical — exchanged more words during the timeout stoppage.
By the end of the second, Cleveland was up by four. It tallied 67 first-half points — the sixth time this season scoring at least that many in an opening half.
The third quarter was almost a replay of the first, as Minnesota outscored the Cavs 12-2 in the first few minutes. By the midway point of the third, the Timberwolves had a 14-point advantage — their biggest of the night to that point. About five minutes later, it increased to a game-high 20.
Minnesota was up 17 going to the fourth.
Could the Cavs, one of the league’s best fourth-quarter teams, mount yet another comeback?
Not this time — although they certainly tried.
Cleveland scored on four of its first five possessions. Made six of its first nine shots. Cut the lead to single digits with under four minutes remaining. It became a two-possession game with 2:56 left.
But the Wolves aren’t the Pacers or the Grizzlies or the depleted Nuggets or Bulls — teams that have been victimized by the Cavaliers’ late-game brilliance. Minnesota responded with five straight, pushing the lead back to nine. The Cavs once again got as close as four before going scoreless in the final minute.
Cavs star Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 30 points, including nine in the fourth quarter. Five other Cavaliers reached double figures — Sam Merrill (22 points), Evan Mobley (19), Darius Garland (16), Hunter (14) and Jarrett Allen (11).
The Timberwolves had a balanced scoring attack, with four different players hitting the 20-point mark. Julius Randle poured in a team-high 28. Anthony Edwards finished with 25, becoming the third youngest player in NBA history to hit 10,000 career points.
Two nights earlier in Indiana, the Cavs said they didn’t want to get into the habit of constantly having to play catch-up and then flip a proverbial switch in the fourth quarter.
They found themselves in _that_ position Thursday night — versus a better opponent — and couldn’t do it again.
**Up next**
The Cavs will return home for a second straight game against the Timberwolves on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.