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The coming Nuggets vs Timberwolves series in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs sees the consistent all-season Nuggets taking on the unpredictable Timberwolves. Both teams are ready to lock horns in a fierce battle from game 1. With that in mind below we give you a short preview of their game 1 clash and a few free betting tips to go with it.
Prediction 1
Murray Over 21.5 Points
4/5 (1.80)
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Prediction 2
Jokic Over 0.5 3PT FG
4/6 (1.67)
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Odds from
These odds from William Hill were correct at the time of writing.
Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves – Game Predictions
Contents
The Nuggets come into the playoffs as the number 1 seed in the West and they had a very consistent regular season. Minnesota sneaked into the 8th spot via the play-in tournament where they first lost in overtime to the Lakers but then had enough firepower to beat the Thunder at home. Both teams have high hopes to make a deep run, but one of them won’t have that chance.
Prediction 1: Jamal Murray Over 21.5 Points
Our first Nuggets vs Timberwolves prediction backs Jamal Murray to score at least 22 points on his return to the postseason for the first time since his explosive displays in the Orlando bubble a few years back. Murray has proven that he comes to life in the playoffs and we think with Minnesota’s 2 bigs targeting Jokic his second-best in command Murray will take care of business.
Murray averaged only 20.0 points during the regular season. However, in the 3 games he played against the Wolves, he averaged 21.0 and it is not a secret that Murray starts to boost his stats immensely come playoff time as he comes to life. That’s why we back Murray to cover the 21.5 points spread in game one.
Prediction 2: Nikola Jokic Over 0.5 3PT FG
Our next free betting tip back Nikola Jokic to hit at least 1 3PT attempt. We think this is almost certain to happen as the big man will be trying to draw Gobert out of the paint so he will likely do that with several 3-point attempts early.
Jokic is given this generous spread of 0.5 because in his last 10 games of the regular season, he averaged only 25% from behind the stripe. However, at home, he’s averaging 37% from 3 for the season and also hit multiple 3s in 2 of the last 3 matches vs the Wolves.
Photo by Icon Sport
Nuggets vs T-wolves Preview – Are the Nuggets the real deal?
With this series set to be a close battle, the importance of game 1 can’t be underestimated. Both the Nuggets and the visiting Wolves will try their best to get an early edge.
Denver Nuggets
With Jamal Murray finally fit and not many serious injury problems the Nuggets comfortably won the Western Conference with a 53-29 record. The 2-time MVP Jokic nearly averaged a triple-double, only 0.2 assists short of it in the end, while Porter Jr and Gordon elevated their play this season to give Denver 4 very dangerous starters in any given match.
Denver’s ambitions are to go to the NBA Finals, so they will seek quick and decisive first-round triumph with most bookies predicting them to win this series in 5.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota’s crazy trade to bring Ruddy Gobert to the squad last summer hardly brought that much improvement. With a 42-40 regular-season record the Wolves barely made the play-in but in the end, all went just about right as they are in the playoffs after all.
Gobert remains a force in defence. Also, KAT has more freedom. Edwards also developed well in his second season. However, the one thing the Wolves were missing all season was consistency and in a playoff series against the top team in their conference, this could prove devastating.
Nuggets vs T-wolves Head-to-Head Record In 2023
The teams tied the regular season series with 2 wins a piece. All 4 meetings were in the space of just 5 weeks in early 2023. The Wolves won the first one then Nuggets got 2 wins. The last time Denver rested all of their starters and suffered a blowout defeat. It’s worth mentioning that Karl Anthony-Towns missed all 4 matches injured and not even once the teams had their full rosters when they faced each other.
Nuggets vs T-wolves Game Details
- Date & Time: Saturday, April 17, 2023, 03:30 GMT
- Venue: Ball Arena – Denver, Colorado
- Where to watch the match in the UK: Sky Sports (TV), NBA Live Pass, or other live streams
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