The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 131-123, at Target Center on Friday evening.

The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both the Timberwolves (1-1) and Cavaliers (0-2) finding the net often while scoring a combined 62 points. Minnesota created distance by outscoring Cleveland, 39-24, in the second period, leading to a comfortable 71-54 halftime advantage. However, Cleveland stayed on the attack, shaving eight points off their deficit with a 41-point explosion coming out of intermission. The visitors got as close as 127-123 with 46.6 seconds remaining following a Cedi Osman three-pointer, but Jimmy Butler accounted for the final four points with a pullup jumper and a pair of free throws to seal the win.

Kevin Love paced the Cavaliers with a 25-point, 19-rebound double-double that also included seven assists and one block. Osman finished with 22 points, eight assists and one steal. Jordan Clarkson contributed a bench-leading 19 points and supplemented them with four assists, one rebound, one steal and one block. Tristan Thompson generated a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included two assists and one block. First-round pick Collin Sexton matched Thompson's scoring total in 23 minutes off the bench.

Butler led the Timberwolves with a game-high 33 points. He also managed seven rebounds, three assists, four steals and two blocks. Andrew Wiggins supplied 22 points, three boards, two assists and three steals. Taj Gibson (13 points, eight rebounds, two assists) and Karl-Anthony Towns (12 points, nine rebounds, two assists, four blocks) provided important complementary production on the starting five. Derrick Rose led the bench with 12 points, eight assists and four rebounds.

The Cavaliers next tangle with the Hawks in a Sunday evening home contest, while the Timberwolves are back in action Saturday night against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.