Cavs dominate Timberwolves for second consecutive blowout win

Cavs asserted dominance over Wolves early

The Cleveland Cavaliers embarked on another winning streak after dominating the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road, 123-106. With another blowout victory, the Cavs have now won six of their previous eight contests by double-digits.

Cleveland immediately jumped on a 20-4 run following the opening tip without ever looking back. With the Cavaliers not once relinquishing their lead, the end result was seemingly never in question–they even led by as much as 33 points late in the game.

Seven Cavaliers players scored in double-figures in another balanced offensive, led by deserving All-Star candidate Jarrett Allen with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocked shots, all while shooting 82 percent from the field.

Returning to his first NBA home of Minnesota, veteran forward Kevin Love turned back the clock with a vintage double-double performance of 18 points and 13 rebounds to go with four assists and a steal.

On the flip side, Karl Anthony Towns tallied 27 points, seven rebounds, and three blocked shots but had little help containing Cleveland’s Tower City frontcourt. The other Cavs big men also had a field day with Lauri Markkanen scoring 19 and rookie sensation Evan Mobley added 11 points, nine boards, and two blocks in the rout.

The Cavs will look to extend the win streak

Despite having two close losses in between, Cleveland’s young squad have been dominant at the turn of the month, winning by an average of 20.3 points over (mostly) playoff contending teams.

Much of the credit goes to the frontcourt players, and deservingly so, but the backcourt tandem of Darius Garland and Ricky Rubio has been just as crucial in the resurgence. Even in games like this where they combine for just 18 markers, the duo steadies the ship with 20 huge assists as the Cavaliers shot an impressive 54 percent from the field.

Now three games above .500, the Cavaliers are in a solid position to resume their hunt for a potential playoff/play-in spot so long as they sustain this level of play. Even as the brutal schedule shows few signs of easing up, the resilient group appears poised to continue weathering the storm.

No rest for the weary, however, as the Cavaliers immediately fly home to host the Sacramento Kings tomorrow for the first of a much welcomed three-game homestand.