The Denver Nuggets travel to the Target Center to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.
Here’s a Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Prediction. This article will include a Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Pick.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets were sitting pretty after their comfortable win in the series opener on Saturday, but things took a turn for the worse in Game 2, where they lost to the Timberwolves by 119-114 on Monday. Jamal Murray led the way with 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists; Nikola Jokic tallied 24 points with 15 rebounds and eight assists while Christian Braun and Tim Hardaway Jr. each scored 16 points. As a team, the Nuggets shot 44 percent from the field and 15 of 41 from the 3-point line as they poured in 39 points in the first quarter to open up an early 19-point lead, but it didn’t last long at all as the Nuggets had squandered that lead before the first half even finished. Still, the Nuggets regrouped and looked to be in control with a narrow lead halfway through the fourth quarter before they went ice-cold and scored just nine points in the final 8:19 to allow the Timberwolves off the hook in the end. Check out another game tonight between the Raptors and Cavaliers.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t allow their loss in the series opener to keep them down, as they are now in a great spot after squaring up the series at 1-1. Anthony Edwards led the team with 30 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks; Julius Randle added 24 points with nine rebounds and six assists, while Donte DiVincenzo tallied 16 points with seven rebounds and six assists. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 48 percent from the field and 14 of 34 from the 3-point line but this win was more about their defense as they clamped down on the Nuggets in the second quarter to climb back into the contest and they did it again with more great defense in the fourth quarter. Rudy Gobert scored just two points but played excellent defense despite battling foul trouble all night.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won eight of their last nine night games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Nuggets have lost each of their last two Western Conference First Round games as road favorites.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as road favorites.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in eight of their last nine home games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last 14 games as road favorites following a home loss.
- The Timberwolves have lost four of their last five games following a win.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last five playoff games following a loss.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three games as underdogs against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
Total Points Facts
- Ten of the Nuggets’ last 11 night games against Northwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Nine of the Timberwolves’ last 10 playoff home games have gone OVER the total points line.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (68.2%) this season.
- Anthony Edwards ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for points per game (28.8) this season.
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.
Matchup/League Facts
- 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.
- 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).
Timberwolves vs Nuggets Prediction
The Nuggets are still keeping an eye on Peyton Watson, who is a game-time decision with that hamstring injury, while the Timberwolves are coming in with a full squad. The Nuggets still had their chances to secure the win in Game 2 despite a rocky start, but defense was the difference in the end and that has been the Timberwolves’ calling card all season. The line is very short for Game 3 after what happened on Monday, but the Nuggets are still slight favorites, which is to be expected. It’s certainly tempting to take the Nuggets to bounce back in a crucial game, but the Timberwolves hold the momentum and I think they can pull off another upset in front of their home fans.