7 p.m. Saturday vs. Cleveland • Target Center • BSN, 830-AM
Ricky Rubio finally back healthy for Cleveland
The Cavaliers once again have a healthy Ricky Rubio available in teams' first meetings in two months.
Wolves update: The Timberwolves defeated the Cavaliers 129-124 in Cleveland on Nov. 13. That victory was the start of a five-game win streak for Minnesota. D'Angelo Russell scored 30 points and had 11 assists. ... The Wolves are 2-4 when playing on the tail-end of back to backs this season. Their defensive rating is 118.2 points allowed per 100 possessions, which is 6.2 higher than when they have a day off between games.
Cavaliers update: Former Wolves PG Ricky Rubio returned for his first game from a torn left ACL on Thursday against Portland. Rubio played 10 minutes and scored nine points in Cleveland's victory over the Trail Blazers. He was not listed on team's injury report ahead of Saturday's game. ... The Cavaliers entered Friday with the No. 1-rated defensive efficiency (109.2). They allow the fewest second-chance points in the league (11.5). ... Guard Donovan Mitchell is seventh in the league in scoring at 29.2 points per game, and is hitting 40% from three-point range.
The Wolves fell apart in the fourth quarter and have not won in Toronto in two decades.