*** Friday night’s matchup in Minnesota was a matter of the Wine & Gold just not having enough firepower – netting just 17 points in the third quarter and unable to cut into the T-Wolves double-digit lead in fourth, dropping the 104-91 decision at the Target Center. Still down three starters, the Cavaliers shot just 24 percent from long-range and didn’t have a player top the 20-point mark, falling for the third time in their last four outings.
*** The Timberwolves took a 10-point lead midway through the second quarter, but Cleveland closed the first half on an 18-5 run – propelled by Sam Merrill’s three three-pointers in the period – and led by three at intermission. The Cavs cooled off in the second stanza, however, going 2-for-13 from three-point range while the Timberwolves connected on 7-of-14 attempts from deep.
*** Coach J.B. Bickerstaff discussed Friday’s loss postgame: “I mean, they’re a good defensive team, so give them credit. But I thought we just got stagnant. There wasn’t a lot of movement, we didn’t have enough attack, get to the paint, create something else for somebody. Again, give them credit for being good defensively, but I just thought we weren’t as attack-minded enough to get to the paint to create some sort of chaos so we could create looks for one another.”
*** Darius Garland scored 10 of his team-high 19 points in the fourth quarter – going 4-of-5 from the floor in the period, 8-of-21 from the field overall, adding four assists in the loss.
*** Jarrett Allen posted his 35th double-double of the season on Friday night – finishing with 15 points and a team-best 13 boards, adding five assists and a block. Caris LeVert chipped in with 16 points, five boards and six assists. LeVert had his string of games with at least seven assists snapped at eight, despite his six dimes leading the Cavs on Friday night.
*** LeVert talked about Minnesota’s defense following the loss. I think it was a little bit of an ugly game, obviously two defensive teams battling. Think they did a better job in the fourth quarter executing, getting good shots, getting wide open corner threes. I think the ball got sticky for us in the second half and it was tough to score on their defense.”
*** Marcus Morris Sr. finished with 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting, adding seven boards in 26 minutes of work off the bench. In three appearances with the Cavaliers after inking a 10-day deal on Monday morning, Morris has notched double-figures in two of them.
*** Tristan Thompson, who grabbed seven boards of his own off the bench on Friday, praised the T-Wolves’ effort. “They’re a good team, (you) gotta give them credit, that’s why they’re top three in the West. Coach Finch does a good job with them, especially with them having a lot of youth. They’re able to figure it out and figure it out quickly. For us, it’s a ‘next game up’ mentality. Obviously, we’re down some bodies but we can’t use that as an excuse. We just gotta bounce back.”
*** Sam Merrill drilled three of Cleveland’s seven three-pointers on the night – going 3-of-7 from long-range for 10 points, adding three boards and an assist in 23 minutes of work. Since December 8, no reserve in the NBA has connected on more three-pointers (113) than Merrill.
*** After falling on Friday night in Minnesota, the Cavaliers close out the quick two-game trip against the Heat on Sunday night on South Beach, trying to even the season series and avenge a tough loss on Wednesday night in Cleveland. The Wine & Gold welcome the Hornets to town on Monday night, then travel to Charlotte on Wednesday to complete the home-and-home set.