Sports
Sportsbooks
Casino
Top Lists
Compare Sportsbook
More

Game two of this Western Conference first-round series between the Timberwolves and Nuggets tips off at 10:00 PM ET from Ball Arena in Denver. Minnesota is currently up 1-0 in the series and are the 3 seed in the West. The Nuggets are the 2 seed and are favored by 5.5 points. The over/under line is sitting at 205.5 points, and the money line odds are +185 for the Timberwolves and -227 for the Nuggets. TNT is carrying this game on TV.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS DENVER NUGGETS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves +5.5

This game will be played at Ball Arena at 10:00 ET on Monday, May 6th.

WHY BET THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 113-112 in favor of the Timberwolves.
  • Our projections have Anthony Edwards finishing with Anthony Edwards points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
  • From the field, we have the Timberwolves finishing with a field goal percentage of 49.0% and knocking down 14 threes.

Anthony Edwards had a huge game for the Timberwolves in their most recent game, as he scored 43 points on 58.6% shooting and knocked down three three-pointers. Edwards and the T-Wolves picked up a 106-99 win over the Nuggets and were 4.5-point underdogs heading into the game. The game fell 4.5 points short of the over/under line of 209.5 points.

Edwards wasn't the only player to have a big game, as Nikola Jokic scored 32 points for the Nuggets. Jokic also added nine assists and eight rebounds. Despite his big game, the Nuggets fell short of their average point total, as they scored just 99 points. The Timberwolves held the Nuggets to just 13 made threes, which was right at Denver's season average.

Do the Timberwolves Have What it Takes on the Road?

Minnesota has won five straight games and finished the regular season with a record of 56-26. In the Western Conference, they are currently in 3rd place and have gone 37-15 against other teams in the West.

As the underdog, Minnesota has a scoring differential of +0.7 points per game this season. On the road, they are 12-10 as the underdog and have an ATS record of 14-8 in those games.

In their most recent game, the Timberwolves beat the Nuggets by a score of 106-99. They were 4.5-point underdogs going into the game and have now won three straight games as the underdog. The O/U line for that game was 209.5.

This season, Minnesota has an O/U record of 45-42, and their games have averaged 219.4 points per game. Today's O/U line of 205.5 is lower than all of their previous games.

Minnesota comes into the game averaging 113 points per game this season, which is 18th in the NBA. Their scoring average has been a bit better on the road at 114.2 points per contest. The Timberwolves are 8th in field goal percentage this year, connecting on 48% of their shots from the field.

Anthony Edwards has been carrying the Timberwolves offense of late, averaging 33.4 points per game over his last five games. This has come while hitting 53.2% of his shots from the field. In addition to his scoring, he has averaged 7.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists in his last five games. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 19.4 points per game in his last five games on a shooting percentage of 54.8%.

When it comes to defense, the Minnesota Timberwolves are the best in the league, allowing just 106.3 points per game. They have been especially tough at home, giving up just 103.3 points per contest.

Over their last five games, Minnesota has been even better, holding opponents to just 102.4 points per game. During that stretch, they have been very good at defending the two-point shot, giving up just 51.5% shooting from inside the arc.

One area where the Timberwolves have struggled a bit is at the free-throw line. Over their last five games, they have given up 21.8 made free-throws per game, which is 28th in the league.

Can Denver Secure a Home Victory?

Today, the Nuggets are favored by 5.5 points at home against the Timberwolves. This season, Denver has been favored in 77 of their 82 games and has gone 56-21 in those games. As the favorite, they have an average scoring margin of +6.1 points per game.

In terms of their ATS record, the Nuggets are 22-22 at home and 18-24 on the road. They have failed to cover the spread in their last three home games and are 40-46 overall.

Denver's O/U record for the season is 35-51-2, and their games have averaged 223.7 points per game. Today's O/U line of 205.5 is lower than all of their previous games.

In their most recent game, the Nuggets lost to the Timberwolves by a score of 106-99. The O/U line for that game was 209.5, and Denver was favored by 4.5 points going into the game.

Overall, the Nuggets finished the season with a record of 57-25, which is good for 2nd place in the Western Conference. Against other Western Conference teams, they went 33-19 and are 24-6 in non-conference games.

Overall, the Nuggets are 14th in scoring this season, at 114.9 points per game. In terms of field goal percentage, the Nuggets are 4th in the league, as they have hit 49% of their shots. One reason their scoring is a little below their field goal percentage is that they are 29th in both free throw attempts and makes. Denver's three-point shooting percentage is 11th best in the league.

Looking at the Nuggets' last five games, Nikola Jokic is averaging 28.2 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 10.2 assists. Michael Porter Jr. has hit 54.1% of his shots from the field and 51.2% of his threes in his last five games, leading to an average of 23 points and eight rebounds. Jamal Murray is averaging 22.6 points and six assists for the season but has hit just 40.9% of his shots in his last five games.

When looking at the Denver Nuggets' defense, they have been one of the best units in the league this season, coming in 6th in points allowed per game at 109.4. At home, they have been even better, ranking 5th in the NBA at 108.3 points per contest. This season, opposing teams have scored less than their season average 78.0% of the time against Denver.

One area where the Nuggets have been especially tough is defending the three-point line. They come in 2nd in the league in three-point shooting percentage allowed at 35.1%. On the year, they are giving up just 11.1 made threes per game. Over their last five games, Denver's defense has given up just 32.4% shooting from deep.

Overall, the Nuggets' defense has been solid this season, ranking 8th in field goal percentage allowed at 46.6%. They have also been a good shot-blocking team, coming in 11th in the NBA at 5.6 blocks per game.