Cleveland Cavaliers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Final Score & Over/Under Result — Jan 8, 2026

Cleveland's recent offensive consistency—121.4 points per game over its last ten—met Minnesota's balanced scoring attack in a game that exceeded expectations by a significant margin. The Timberwolves won 131–122, with a combined total of 253 that landed firmly over the 239.5 market line by 13.5 points. DAGGER leaned under and missed.

The first half set the tone for an elevated scoring affair, with both teams combining for 130 points through two quarters. The second quarter proved the most productive, as the teams combined for 67 points—the game's highest-scoring frame. Minnesota's depth shone through: Julius Randle posted 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Jaden McDaniels added 26 points and Anthony Edwards chipped in 25 points and 9 assists. Cleveland kept pace behind Donovan Mitchell's 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists, complemented by Sam Merrill's 22 points and Evan Mobley's 19 points with 4 rebounds.

The second half reversed the pattern. After the elevated second quarter, scoring cooled in the third (65 combined) and fourth quarters (58 combined), yet the damage was already done. Minnesota's 43-point third quarter—the game's most dominant single-team frame—proved decisive. The Timberwolves' nine-point victory reflected their ability to sustain offensive rhythm even as overall pace slowed, while Cleveland's late-game surge of 33 points in the fourth couldn't overcome the deficit.