Cleveland Cavaliers 127, Minnesota Timberwolves 125: Cleveland takes overtime 14-12

The Minnesota Timberwolves built a 15-point lead, watched it disappear in the third quarter and lost 127-125 in overtime to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on Monday. Anthony Edwards scored 47. Cleveland won the extra period 14-12 and ended Minnesota's three-game winning streak.

The free throw line and the 3-point line separated two teams that were even after 48 minutes. Minnesota made 14 of 23 free throws, leaving nine points there, and was outscored by 15 from deep. In a two-point game, either gap was enough.

How it was won

Minnesota controlled the first half. It won the first quarter 31-24 and the second 29-26 to lead 60-50 at the break, and its largest lead reached 15.

The third quarter turned the game. Cleveland scored 36 points to Minnesota's 26 and tied it 86-86 going into the fourth. Neither side pulled away after that. The fourth finished 27-27, leaving it 113-113 at the end of regulation. Cleveland's largest lead all night was five, and it never needed more.

In overtime the Cavaliers outscored Minnesota 14-12 to close it out.

The box score shows how close it was and where the Wolves gave it away. Minnesota had the better of the interior work: 58 points in the paint to Cleveland's 44, and 54 rebounds to 50. Both teams took 102 shots. Minnesota shot 48 percent to Cleveland's 45 and made three more field goals.

The margins went the other way elsewhere. Cleveland made 18 of 45 threes, Minnesota 13 of 40. Cleveland made 17 of 23 free throws. Minnesota turned it over 18 times to Cleveland's 12, and Cleveland had 30 assists to Minnesota's 25.

Edwards finished with 47 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, and went 5 of 15 from 3-point range. Jaden McDaniels added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, going 2 of 3 from deep. Terrence Shannon Jr. had 14 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, with 3 of 6 from three. Nobody else on the roster cleared Shannon and McDaniels, which left Edwards carrying a large share of the scoring.

For Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell led with 26 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds, making 5 of 9 threes. James Harden had 19 points and 9 assists. Evan Mobley put up 18 points and 10 rebounds and went 4 of 5 from deep, a strong shooting night from a big man in a game decided by two points.

Against the number

Cleveland closed as a 3.5-point favorite, so Minnesota covered in a two-point loss. Moneyline bettors on the Cavaliers at -155 got paid, while the Wolves at +130 came up one possession short.

The total closed at 234.5, and 252 points went over comfortably. That over depended on overtime, though. Regulation ended at 226, under the number, and the 26 points in the extra period carried it past.

Full pricing history is on the game page.

What's next

Minnesota falls to 3-1. Before Monday, it had beaten Miami 131-106, Orlando 115-93 and Toronto 117-94, all by 21 points or more. The Wolves return home Wednesday, October 28, to face the Golden State Warriors on NBA League Pass.

Cleveland moves to 2-1. Its next opponent was not part of the material available at publication.