Peyton Watson saves Cavaliers with clutch block against Timberwolves

A big reason the Cleveland Cavaliers gave up two players and two picks to get Peyton Watson this summer was the extra length and defense he could provide at small forward. Monday, that length saved the game for Cleveland in regulation.

Watson blocked Anthony Edwards' layup in the final seconds of regulation and iced the game in overtime with two clutch free throws in a 127-125 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Peyton Watson may have solved the Cavaliers' small forward problem

Monday was Watson's best game as a Cavalier. He had 15 points and eight rebounds, adding three steals and four blocks. Watson is an ideal complement to the backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden since he makes up for Mitchell's lack of size and Harden's lack of speed, lack of shot-blocking and occasional lack of effort.

He's also six years younger than Mitchell and 13 years younger than Harden, a crucial factor for a Cavs team that had trouble keeping up with the New York Knicks in an Eastern Conference Finals sweep last season. Cleveland has a former Defensive Player of the Year in Evan Mobley and a solid interior defender in Jarrett Allen, but lacks a perimeter stopper.

They might have found it in Watson. He stole the ball from LaMelo Ball twice, contributing to his seven turnovers. Edwards scored 47 points, but Watson rejected his shot twice, once in the game's biggest moment.