The Minnesota Timberwolves will be looking to finish off the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of the 1st Round at the Ball Arena on Monday night. Here’s a Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction. This article will include a Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves are now in the driver’s seat after blowing past the Nuggets in a 112-96 win in Game 4 on Saturday to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Donte DiVincenzo left the game early with an injury and then the Timberwolves lost Anthony Edwards to a nasty knee hyperextension in the second quarter so things were looking terrible for the Timberwolves, but nobody told Ayo Dosunmu, who exploded for 43 points on 13 of 17 shooting. Julius Randle added 15 points with nine rebounds, while Naz Reid scored 17 points and nine rebounds as the Timberwolves shot 44 percent from the field and nine of 25 from the 3-point line. On the defensive end, the Timberwolves were impressive once again as they restricted the Nuggets to just 18 points in the fourth quarter.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets are officially in panic mode as they are now battling to save their season after getting thrashed by the Timberwolves in a demoralizing defeat in Game 4. Jamal Murray led the team with 30 points, five rebounds and five assists; Nikola Jokic tallied 24 points with 15 rebounds and nine assists, while Tim Hardaway Jr. chipped in with 10 points off the bench, but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Nuggets shot 38 percent from the field and six of 28 from the 3-point line as they got off to a decent start and led for most of the first half, but the game was still up for grabs until they allowed the Timberwolves to go on a crucial 9-1 run in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets’ disappointment was evident and it all boiled over in the final seconds with the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic and the Timberwolves’ Julius Randle both getting ejected.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last 10 night games at Ball Arena following a road loss.
- The Timberwolves have lost each of their five previous Western Conference First Round road games against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
- The home team has covered the spread in nine of the Timberwolves’ last 10 playoff games.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games as road underdogs after winning as underdogs.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won each of their last seven night games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Nuggets have lost three of their last four playoff games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last seven night games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 home games against Western Conference opponents after losing as favorites.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Nuggets’ last six games as favorites following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Timberwolves’ last four games as underdogs following a home win have gone UNDER the total points line.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Nikola Jokic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assists per game (10.7) this season.
- Jamal Murray is one of only five players in the league to have recorded 30+ points and 10+ assists in consecutive games this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (68.2%) this season.
- Jaden McDaniels is one of only five qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 three, 1.0 steal, and 1.0 block this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (122.1).
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.8).
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (12.1).
- The Timberwolves have used only 14 different starting fives this season—the fewest in the league.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves have lost Donte DiVincenzo for the rest of the season and they will be without Anthony Edwards for at least a couple weeks, while the Nuggets have ruled out Peyton Watson, with Aaron Gordon upgraded to a game-time decision for this game. The Timberwolves clearly hold all the momentum in the series following that impressive win in Game 4 but it came at a heavy cost with their starting backcourt getting injured. The pressure is now on the Nuggets to respond to keep their season alive and with the series shifting to the Ball Arena, I think a more prepared Nuggets team can take care of business and keep their season going for at least one more game.