Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves: Game time, TV schedule, preview and more

Set to play without rookie shooting guard Dion Waiters for the third straight game, the Cleveland Cavaliers will square off with the Minnesota Timberwolves from the Target Center on Friday night.

The 6'5 Waiters is averaging 15.2 points per night over the first 17 games of his NBA career, but continues to nurse an ankle injury and did not make the trip with the team to Minnesota. With Waiters out of the mix, veteran shooting guard Daniel Gibson will make his second consecutive start for head coach Byron Scott. Gibson chipped in 10 points with a pair of three-pointers in 28 minutes against the Bulls on Wednesday, but is still shooting a meager 27.3 percent in three December games.

Looking to reach .500 with a win, Kevin Love and the Timberwolves enter Friday's game after an Eastern Conference road trip during the week. Despite holding a 3-5 record since Love's return from a wrist injury, the Timberwolves are currently fourth in the NBA in rebounding (45.2 per game) and fifth in defensive points allowed (93.0).

Game time: 8 p.m. ET

TV channel: Fox Sports Ohio