Preview: Love, Cavs cruise into Minnesota

Cavaliers have won five straight, face Kevin Love's former team for first time this season.

Cavaliers (24-9) vs. Timberwolves (12-24)

SITE: Target Center, Minneapolis

TIPOFF: 8 p.m. EST

TV: FOX Sports Ohio (Cavaliers Live pregame at 7:30 p.m.)

RADIO: Cavaliers Radio Network, WTAM 1100-AM (Flagship)

PROJECTED STARTERS

Cavaliers: C Tristan Thompson; PF Kevin Love; SF LeBron James; SG J.R. Smith; PG Kyrie Irving.

Timberwolves: C Karl-Anthony Towns; PF Kevin Garnett; SF Tayshaun Prince; SG Andrew Wiggins; PG Ricky Rubio.

INJURY REPORT

Cavaliers: None to report.

Timberwolves: None to report.

NOTES/THOUGHTS

Kevin Love's return to Minnesota isn't nearly as big of a deal this time around. … Nor is the the matchup with Andrew Wiggins. … Why not a big deal? Because the Cavs are the best team in the East. The T-Wolves are again likely headed for the lottery. … That's not a shot at the Wolves, though. Their best players are young and still learning how to win at this level. The list includes Wiggins, No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns, reserve guard Zach LaVine, etc. … Interestingly, Wolves coach Sam Mitchell starts two has-beens in Kevin Garnett and Tayshaun Prince. Not a bad idea, actually. Those two are there to help stabilize the youth. … Speaking of veterans, the Wolves are desperately trying to trade reserve guard Kevin Martin. He played for the first time in seven games the other night. … While still a dynamic young talent, Wiggins seems to have leveled off in his second season. Minnesota would like him to do more than just score. He doesn't rebound very well or get many assists. … He's still a staunch defender, though. But questions remain as to whether Wiggins "brings it" every game. ... Of course, he sure seems to bring it against the Cavs. I suspect he will really try to do so again in this one. ... The Cavs have won five straight; the Wolves have lost four straight. … With Kyrie Irving playing his best basketball of the season in the previous two games, the Cavs are practically unstoppable. … It's starting to look like the only team that can beat them is themselves. … I'll be talking more about Martin and other potential trades on the Cavaliers Live pregame show at 7:30 p.m. on FOX Sports Ohio. See you then.