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NBA Betting: Cavs vs Wolves Predictions, Odds, & Best Props (1/8)

Justin Carlucci

Justin Carlucci

Last updated: January 8, 2026

Cavs vs Wolves - Predictions, Odds, Props and Betting Preview for Jan. 8, 2026

We’ve got a crucial Eastern vs. Western Conference clash tonight as the Cleveland Cavaliers (21-17) head to Minneapolis to face the Timberwolves (24-13) at Target Center. Both teams are dealing with injury issues, but both are also playing some of their best basketball of the season. Let’s dive into our best NBA predictions, player props, and we’ll analyze tonight’s Cavs-Wolves betting odds for Thursday’s matchup.

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Cavaliers vs Timberwolves Predictions – NBA Matchup Preview

The Cavs are 4-1 in their last five games and just knocked off the Pacers 120-116 on Monday. The Wolves are on fire—riding a three-game win streak after demolishing the Heat twice in back-to-back games and blowing out the Wizards. This is a legitimate measuring-stick game for both squads, and the injury report is going to play a massive role in how this one plays out.

The Cavs started the season slowly, but they’ve found their groove over the last two weeks. They’re 4-1 in their last five games, with wins over the Pacers (120-116), Suns (129-113), Hawks (114-110), and Pistons (116-95). The only loss? A tough 110-114 home defeat to Detroit on January 4th.

Cavs Key Stats:

  • Offensive Rating: 116.8 (8th in NBA)
  • Defensive Rating: 113.5 (14th in NBA)
  • Home Record: 12-8
  • Road Record: 9-9
  • Last 10 Games: 7-3
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The Wolves are rolling. They’ve won three straight—including a 28-point demolition of the Heat (122-94) and a 26-point blowout of the Wizards (141-115). They’ve also won four of their last five, with the only loss coming in a tough road game at Houston (102-126).

Timberwolves Key Stats:

  • Offensive Rating: 118.7 (4th in NBA)
  • Defensive Rating: 111.2 (8th in NBA)
  • Home Record: 14-6
  • Road Record: 10-7
  • Last 10 Games: 8-2

Here are popular Cavs vs Wolves player props on Underdog:

Cavs-Wolves Props for Today - Jan. 8th, 2026

Cavaliers vs Timberwolves Odds

Here are the betting odds for tonight’s Cavs-Wolves NBA matchup:

  • Spread: Timberwolves -2
  • Moneyline: Timberwolves -130, Cavaliers +110
  • Total: 237.5

Cavs-Wolves NBA Injury Report

  • OUT – Terrence Shannon Jr. (G): Left foot abductor hallucis strain—no major impact
  • OUT – Max Strus (G/F): Left foot surgery (Jones fracture)—long-term injury
  • OUT – Dean Wade (F/C): Left knee contusion—big rotation loss
  • QUEST – Anthony Edwards (G/F): Right foot injury maintenance—game-time decision
  • QUEST – Darius Garland (G): Right hand contusion—game-time decision and a huge factor
  • QUEST – Larry Nance Jr. (F/C): Right calf strain—veteran depth piece
  • PROB – Jaylon Tyson (G): Illness—should play

UPDATE: Darius Garland is going through warm-ups.

NBA LIVE ODDS For January 8th

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Aaron Nesmith
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Andrew Nembhard
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Andrew Wiggins
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Anthony Edwards
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Ayo Dosunmu
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Bam Adebayo
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Bones Hyland
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Coby White
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Darius Garland
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Davion Mitchell
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De'Andre Hunter
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Donovan Mitchell
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Isaac Okoro
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Jaden McDaniels
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Jaime Jaquez Jr.
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Jarrett Allen
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Julian Phillips
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Julius Randle
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Kel'el Ware
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Kevin Huerter
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Matas Buzelis
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Mike Conley
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Nikola Jović
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Nikola Vučević
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Norman Powell
SG MIA @ CHI
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Patrick Williams
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Rudy Gobert
C CLE @ MIN
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Sam Merrill
SG CLE @ MIN
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Tre Jones
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Tyler Herro
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Anthony Davis
C DAL @ UTA
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Brandon Williams
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Brice Sensabaugh
SF DAL @ UTA
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Cooper Flagg
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Daniel Gafford
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Isaiah Collier
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Jusuf Nurkić
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Kevin Love
PF DAL @ UTA
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Keyonte George
SG DAL @ UTA
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Klay Thompson
SG DAL @ UTA
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Kyle Filipowski
C DAL @ UTA
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Lauri Markkanen
PF DAL @ UTA
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Max Christie
SG DAL @ UTA
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Naji Marshall
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Svi Mykhailiuk
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Walter Clayton Jr.
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Cavs vs Wolves Top Picks – Player Prop Predictions (1/8/26)

Let’s get into the good stuff. Here’s our best Cavs vs Wolves props for tonight’s action!

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Donovan Mitchell has been sensational—averaging 29.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 5.4 APG on 49.7% shooting. He’s carrying the offensive load, and when Darius Garland is healthy (17.5 PPG, 6.9 APG), the Cavs have one of the best backcourts in the league.

Anthony Edwards is having an MVP-caliber season—29.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.6 APG on 50.4% shooting. He’s been absolutely unstoppable, and he’s getting help from Julius Randle (22.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 5.7 APG).

Rudy Gobert (11.9 PPG, 12.1 RPG) is anchoring one of the best defenses in the league, and Naz Reid (15.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG) is providing elite scoring punch off the bench. Add in Donte DiVincenzo and the Wolves have a deep, balanced roster.

If Darius Garland doesn’t play, I really like hitting Mitchell’s points prop > 29.5, depsite the Timberwolves solid defense, the incresed usage cannot be ignored.

Advanced numbers show that Jarrett Allen has actually been a bad rebounder this year. Despite Rudy Gobert being priced like it, he’s been playing sensational basketball this year and has been a beast on the boards.

  • NBA Player Prop Bet: Donovan Mitchell > 29.5 Points (if Garland is out)
  • NBA Player Prop Bet: Rudy Gobert > 11.5 Rebounds

Good luck!

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