The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets meet Saturday in NBA Game 1 at the Ball Arena. Here’s a Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction. This article will include a Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves recently beat the Rockets and Pelicans. The Timberwolves are in the playoffs for a fifth straight season. The Timberwolves have won 3 of their last 4 games.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are averaging 119.5 points on 48.1 percent shooting and allowing 116.1 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Anthony Edwards is averaging 28.8 points and 5 rebounds, while Julius Randle is averaging 21.1 points and 5 assists. Jaden McDaniels is the third double-digit scorer, and Naz Reid is grabbing 6.2 rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves are shooting 37 percent from beyond the arc and 75.2 percent from the free-throw line. The Minnesota Timberwolves are allowing 35.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.6 rebounds per game.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets recently beat the Thunder and Spurs. The Nuggets are in the playoffs for an eighth straight season. The Nuggets have won 12 straight games.
The Denver Nuggets are averaging 123.6 points on 49.6 percent shooting and allowing 118.4 points on 46.8 percent shooting. Nikola Jokic is averaging 27.7 points and 12.9 rebounds, while Jamal Murray is averaging 25.4 points and 4.4 rebounds. Aaron Gordon is the third double-digit scorer, and Peyton Watson is grabbing 4.9 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are shooting 39.6 percent from beyond the arc and 80.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Denver Nuggets are allowing 34.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.5 rebounds per game.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last 12 games.
- The Timberwolves have lost seven of their last eight Western Conference First Round road games against Northwest Division opponents.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the Timberwolves’ last six playoff games.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine day games.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won four of their last five games as road underdogs against the Nuggets.
- The Nuggets have lost each of their last five day games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 Western Conference First Round games.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as home favorites following a road win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Timberwolves’ last six day games has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Nuggets’ last eight home games have gone OVER the total points line.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Nikola Jokic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assists per game (10.7) this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Donte DiVincenzo ranks 16th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per game (3.0) 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 Injury Report
Peyton Watson is out for the Nuggets.
The Timberwolves don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves Prediction
I’ve bashed the Timberwolves all season long, as they play with their food too often and haven’t lived up to their talent level. The Nuggets are usually deadly at home. However, the Nuggets have struggled in the big favorite role this season and it’s the underdog that’s covered 6 of the last 9 games between the Timberwolves and Nuggets.
The Timberwolves are also 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games when underdogs of 5 or more points. Due to the inconsistent play, we forget this Timberwolves core has made the western conference finals the last two seasons. This isn’t a group you should be overlooking the way oddsmakers have. While I have the Nuggets winning the series, it shouldn’t shock anyone if it’s long and competitive. Give me the points.