Live Thread: Cavs vs. Timberwolves, 2/1/2017

“Onto February!”

It was a rough January for the Cavs. On the court, the team underwhelmingly finished below .500 at 7-8. Their losses included a flashback-walloping by the Warriors on MLK Jr. Day, a heartbreaking OT loss to the Spurs, and some headscratching L’s to the Mavericks and the Anthony Davis-less Pelicans. The Cavs have also had to adjust to life without J.R. Smith, while facing sickness and food poisoning, Kevin Love‘s balky back, and long nights on veterans’ legs. There was a trade that presently looks awful. Off the court, Cleveland has endured trade rumors, LeBron’s jabs at his teammates, LeBron’s jabs at Cavs management, LeBron’s jabs with the media, and the media’s own jabs back. For the past month, every step the Cavs have taken forward there seems to have been one back. But January was January.

This is a brutal graphic for Cavs fans.

Onto February. Tonight at 7:00 EST, the Wine & Gold look to get back to their winning ways with some home cooking against a young Minnesota Timberwolves squad. The Wolves’ roster is young but dripping with talent headed by top draft picks Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. The latter, in particular, has historically played particularly well against the Cavs, scoring a blistering 28.8 points per game, the highest of his career against any team. The veteran Cavaliers should be able to overcome the less tested Wolves, but don’t be surprised if the game becomes a battle.

Kevin Love will sit out tonight’s game due to his back, and Channing Frye will take his place. Let’s see if Cleveland can right the ship at home.