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Cavaliers beat Timberwolves in overtime 113-104 behind Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) and Atlanta Hawks forward Bruno Fernando (24) battle for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) and Atlanta Hawks forward Bruno Fernando (24) battle for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

A few days after completing a wild 22-point comeback over the Boston Celtics, the No. 1 team in the East, the Cavaliers also beat the No. 1 team in the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves, 113-104 in overtime Friday night at Rocket Morgage FieldHouse.

Dean Wade had the game of his life Tuesday night, pouring in 20 points to lead the Cavs back in the final seconds. Friday night, the Cavs were led by Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland, who dominated the overtime period.

The Cavs, were without Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus and Evan Mobley, who sprained his ankle in that game. And this time, the Cavs didn't even have the magic of the Kelce brothers on the sideline with them.

The Cavs are in one of the toughest stretches of their schedule, and they've had to grind through it without several key players. They've nearly face the No. 1 teams in both conferences, with only a loss to the Hawks in Atlanta in between those games. It's a similar story tonight on what was a nationally-televised game, this one on ESPN.

And the Cavs, meanwhile, extended their runs of wild finishes at home, with Wade's put-back dunk in the final seconds Tuesday night and Strus' buzzer-beating heave being recent examples.

Check back here throughout the game up updates and analysis.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 8, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 8, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cavaliers beat Timberwolves 113-104 without three starters

The Cavs have beaten the top team in the East and the top team in the West in a span of four days following a 113-104 win over Minnesota in overtime Friday night.

Jarrett Allen had a superb second half and overtime period, finishing with 33 points, 18 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. It was a monster night after a very slow start.

Darius Garland finished with 34 points and eight assists.

Minnesota's Naz Reid had a monster game as well, finishing with 34 points off the bench.

Cavs take 105-100 lead thanks to 4-play, Jarrett Allen

Jarrett Allen has made up for a not-so-great start and has put together a really strong game. He's been the game's MVP since around halftime.

Darius Garland was fouled attempting a 3-pointer. He made the first two and then missed the third, but Allen ran out of bounds and saved it by throwing it back over his head. It eventually led to a Darius Garland floater and a five-point Cavs lead.

And while that was being typed, Allen added a layup to further extend the Cavs' lead and give him 27 points tonight.

Cavaliers, Timberwolves going to overtime; Anthony Edwards jumper at buzzer misses

The Cavs and Timberwolves are going to OT after Edwards, who was somehow held scoreless the entire fourth quarter, missed a shot at the buzzer.

With Gobert fouled out of the game, both sides are just about playing a bench game.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 8, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 8, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Darius Garland blocked by Naz Reid with 3.8 seconds left

The Cavs had a chance to take the lead in the final seconds. Naz Reid switched onto Darius Garland, who tried a step-back 3 to win it, but had it blocked by Reid, who has had a Dean Wade-like game tonight. That led to a shot clock violation, and the Timberwolves will have a chance to win it with the score tied 97-97.

Rudy Gobert fouls out, called for technical foul with 27.8 seconds left; Cavs and Timberwolves tied 97-97

This final minute is setting up for another wild finish in Cleveland.

With the Cavs trailing by 1 and needing a stop, Rudy Gobert was not only called for an offensive foul while battling Jarrett Allen for a rebound, but Gobert fouled out and was then called for a techincal after giving the ref a "money" hand sign. The free throw from Garland was made to tie it 97-97.

Rudy Gobert called for flagrant foul against Jarret Allen

Jarrett Allen's less-than-ideal night now includes an elbow to the ribs, though he's put together a productive night.

As Rudy Gobert backed Allen down near the basket, Gobert threw an elbow into Allen's ribs. Gobert was called for an offensive foul and then after a review, it was upgraded to a flagrant 1. Allen hit one of the two free throws to extend the Cavs' lead to 91-88 with 6:45 left.

Allen has had a nice second half, now with 20 points and 13 rebounds tonight.

Cavs lead Timberwolves 90-86 early in fourth quarter

Considering the Cavs are without three starters, and the Timberwolves are adjusting without Towns, both offenses are playing pretty well.

Sam Merrill's release is just lightning quick. He just hit a 3 to tie it 86-86, and then after Jarrett Allen gave the Cavs the lead while being fouled, Merrill grabbed a rebound off of the missed free throw, which lead to a Garland floater and a four-point possession.

The Cavs are now on a 9-0 run over the last two minutes.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert, left, dunks over Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jordan McLaughlin during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 8, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert, left, dunks over Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jordan McLaughlin during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 8, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Naz Reid with 24 points; Timberwolves lead Cavaliers 80-79 entering fourth quarter

Naz Reid, off the bench, is torching the Cavs.

Reid has a game-high 24 points and has hit 5-of-8 attempts from 3-point range. Late in the third quarter, a defensive miscommunication led to an open look for Reid, who knocked down shot. Even before he shot it, Cavs guard Sam Merrill grimaced at the defensive miscue to leave such a hot shooting wide open.

Darius Garland has led the Cavs with 23 points thus far, but he's also turned the ball over five times, so it hasn't been the cleanest of games for him.

Anthony Edwards dunks on Jarrett Allen; Cavs lead Timberwolves 58-57

Jarrett Allen's night keeps getting worse.

Anthony Edwards had room to drive and just posterized Allen with a dunk. Edwards was called for a tech for taunting. The Timberwolves bench was pointing at Allen for a couple of minutes after the dunk.

Although, it hasn't been the best night for either center. Rudy Gobert weirdly has two airballs from inside of five feet tonight.

Cavaliers lead Timberwolves 54-50 at halftime; Darius Garland has game-high 17 points

It's interesting to watch two offenses both trying to find their footing with key players recently out. Karl-Anthony Towns is such a massive loss for Minnesota, and the Cavs are without 60 percent of their starting lineup. Neither side looks comfortable.

Darius Garland has stepped up to provide some scoring for the Cavs with a game-high 17 points on 8-for-15 shooting from the floor, along with four assists. Georges Niang had a quality half with 11 points on an efficient 4-for-6 shooting.

This is one of those games where if the Cavs are to win, with Mitchell, Strus and Mobley all out, players normally on the bench (Niang, Wade, Okoro) will need to hit their 3s when presented with opportunities.

Jarrett Allen is having a serious off night on the offensive end, though. He's 2-for-7 from the floor with several misses from right at the rim, including a missed dunk.

Timberwolves open second quarter on 11-2 run

Hey, remember all that momentum the Cavs had in the first quarter? Well, it's gone.

The Cavs' makeshift offense has lost its luster. Cleveland has just two points in the first five minutes of the second quarter, and Jarrett Allen somehow just missed a wide-open dunk that led to a Timberwolves fast break.

Minnesota now leads 34-27, as they've answered Cleveland's 11-2 run in the first quarter with one of their own in the second.

Cavaliers Timberwolves score: Cleveland leading 25-23 after first quarter

The Cavs offense recovered and will take a 25-23 lead into the second quarter.

Georges Niang has eight points on 3-for-4 shooting from the floor. Jarrett Allen has five points and four rebounds.

Anthony Edwards has a game-high nine points for Minnesota, though he's just 4-for-10 from the floor.

Cavaliers go on 11-2 run to take lead over Timberwolves

Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff took a timeout with 6:24 left and the Cavs offense floundering. It looks like that was properly timed.

Since that timeout, the Cavs have gone on an 11-2 run to catch and then overtake the Timberwolves, 17-15.

Georges Niang, in the banged-up starting lineup, is leading the way with eight points.

Timberwolves Cavaliers score: Minnesota's top-ranked defense has them out front over Cleveland

The Timberwolves' No. 1-ranked defense is putting in work, as the Cavaliers have mustered just six points nearing the midway point of the first quarter. Rudy Gobert just rejected Jarrett Allen, which led to a Minnesota fast break.

And Anthony Edwards, coming off of last night's thriller that included a block in which he hit his head on the backboard, just threw down a dunk with a yell and a flex. It seems the energy levels are still high despite the back-to-back.

With 6:24 left in the first quarter, the Timberwolves are up 13-6, and a Cavs offense without Mitchell, Mobley and Strus is searching for some answers.

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch won't coach against Cavaliers; Micah Nori will take over

There was a late addition to the injury report, but it's not for a player.

Shortly before tip-off, it was announced that Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch wasn't feeling well and won't be able to lead Minnesota Friday night. Assistant coach Micah Nori will fill in for Finch.

Here is some pregame information

Timberwolves-Cavaliers injury report: Cleveland will be without Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, others; Minnesota will miss Karl-Anthony Towns

Both sides are banged up for this one.

The Cavs will be without Donovan Mitchell (knee), Evan Mobley (ankle) and Max Strus (knee). Ty Jerome (ankle surgery) and Tristan Thompson (suspension) remain sidelined as well.

The Timberwolves will be without Karl-Anthony Towns, a brutal loss for Minnesota, as he'll undergo surgery on his knee. Monte Morris is questionable with a hamstring injury, and Jaylen Clark is out with an achilles injury.

How can I watch, stream or listen to Minnesota Timberwolves at Cleveland Cavaliers?

The Cavaliers-Timberwolves game has a national TV audience and will be shown on ESPN and WUAB CW 43. The matchup will be broadcast on the radio via WTAM (1100-AM), WMMS (100.7-FM) and WNZN (89.1-FM).

Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Follow him on Threads at @ByRyanLewis.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs vs Timberwolves live updates with Towns, Mitchell sidelined