The Denver Nuggets play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves in NBA Game 7 at the Ball Arena on Sunday night. Here’s a Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves will be looking to book their tickets to the Western Conference Finals after blowing past the Nuggets in a 115-70 win in Game 6 on Thursday to force a series decider. Anthony Edwards led the team with 27 points and four assists, Jaden McDaniels added 21 points on eight of 10 shooting while Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 10 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 46 percent from the field and 15 of 40 from the 3-point line as they set the tone early and always looked in complete control after dominating the first quarter by 31-14. Mike Conley returned to the lineup and provided a spark with 13 points and five assists.
Denver Nuggets
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets will be kicking themselves after coming out flat and getting completely run off the floor in Game 6 on Thursday. Nikola Jokic led the team with 22 points and nine rebounds, Aaron Gordon added 12 points with eight rebounds and four assists while Jamal Murray chipped in with 10 points, but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Nuggets shot a miserly 30 percent from the field and seven of 36 from the 3-point line as they struggled against the Timberwolves’ defense from the start, scoring just 14 points in the first quarter and just nine points in the fourth quarter where things really got out of hand. Murray shot just four of 18 from the field for his 10 points, Justin Holiday finished scoreless on zero of five shooting while Reggie Jackson shot zero of six to finish scoreless also.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last seven games against the Timberwolves following a road loss.
- The Timberwolves have lost 12 of their 14 previous night games at Ball Arena following a home win.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in three of their last four playoff games against the Timberwolves.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four Western Conference Semifinals games.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Nikola Jokic is one of only two qualified players in the league averaging at least 25.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season.
- Justin Holiday ranks 4th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (4.8) this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (12.9) this season.
- Mike Conley ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for 3P% (44.2%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (31.2).
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for Q1 opponent points per game this season (26.5).
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (106.5).
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (45.0%).
Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves could be slightly shorthanded again with Mike Conley listed as questionable here, while the Nuggets are keeping an eye on Jamal Murray, who is also listed as questionable at the moment. The momentum is with the young Timberwolves, who will be brimming with confidence after winning by 45 points in Game 6. It’s going to be tough to replicate that effort on the road, where the Nuggets have been so tough to beat all season. The Nuggets will be disappointed with how they played on Thursday, but I think they can write it off, regain their focus and get the job done behind better production from their role players at home.