CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs entered Saturday’s matchup against the Timberwolves with a different level of focus and intensity.
Two nights after a tough loss in Minnesota, Cleveland treated the game at Rocket Arena like Game 2 of a playoff series.
Although this was the final matchup between the two teams before a potential playoff series — a scenario that would only happen if both made it to the NBA Finals — the Cavs can walk away satisfied. They responded to adversity, overcame a blazing Timberwolves offense and played with energy for a full 48 minutes, securing a 146-134 victory that showed how effort and intensity can carry the day, even in a game where the opposition shot lights-out from deep.
And it showed from the first whistle. Hard fouls, scrappy tussles, bruises, highlight plays and stars asserting themselves — it was a game that felt like postseason intensity, even in early January.
Donovan Mitchell and Anthony Edwards even stayed on the court after the halftime buzzer, arguing calls, a testament to the competitive energy both teams were bringing.
The Timberwolves came out hot, shooting 57% from the field and 50% from three in the first quarter — just like they had in their most recent matchup.
But the Cavs took the first punch and then came back with their own.
They took advantages in paint points, second-chance opportunities, fast-break points, and free throws into the break, and Cleveland trailed by just two at the half, a clear sign that Minnesota’s scorching shooting from beyond the arc had been the main difference.
Even with these positives, the Cavs’ rotations after drives were sometimes a step slow, leaving shooters like Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid open — small lapses that could have swung a tighter game the other way.
Cleveland returned from halftime with renewed urgency.
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Darius Garland attacked the paint, collapsing the defense and creating space for Sam Merrill, who finished with 20 points.
Evan Mobley’s assertiveness was obvious from the start of the third, taking multiple shots in the first five minutes and turning his presence into opportunities for guards cutting to the rim. That kind of energy and confidence has been the missing ingredient at times this season; when Mobley plays like this, he changes the dynamics of a game entirely.
The Cavs won the third quarter 36-26 and took an eight-point lead into the final frame.
As the fourth quarter wore on, the Cavaliers’ effort began to tip the balance. Jarrett Allen, subbing in with the same fire, blocked Julius Randle and immediately followed with a thunderous dunk, ballooning Cleveland’s lead to 16 with under six minutes remaining. Lying on the floor, Allen screamed to his teammates and the crowd, the bench rushing to celebrate, a moment that captured just how meaningful this game was.
Mitchell finished with 28 points and eight assits. Mobley had 24 points. And Jarrett Allen added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Even when Minnesota was hitting shots, Cleveland’s consistent effort, assertiveness and intensity allowed them to control the flow when it mattered most. The Timberwolves finished the game shooting 57.3% from the field and 50% from deep.
The Cavs still had obvious lapses — defensive closeouts could have been sharper and small details like overhelp rotations need cleaning up — but their energy and cohesion made those flaws almost irrelevant.
Maybe this was the example the Cavs needed because it proved that games can swing in their favor when they play with the kind of focus and energy usually reserved for playoff basketball.
By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Cavaliers had delivered a blueprint for what they can achieve when they combine skill, intensity and cohesion.
**Next**
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The Cavs continue their two-game homestand against the Utah Jazz on Monday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Eastern.