2023 NBA Playoffs: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Series Odds, Picks & Predictions
The Denver Nuggets had to wait until last night to know who they’ll play in the postseason. For a one-seed, that doesn’t seem like such an advantage.
But regardless, they’ll take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night to begin the First Round of the NBA Playoffs.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets finished the season 53-29 and ended the year in first place in the West. Nikola Jokic led the team with 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game.
He almost averaged a triple-double per game for the Nuggets but he’s not expected to win the MVP this year. Journalists are getting tired of giving the MVP to Jokic, who already has two of them. His defense hasn’t been nearly as good as his offense has been.
The Nuggets also haven’t won anything in the postseason with Jokic leading the way. The Nuggets hope that changes this year.
Denver has also relied heavily on Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Each player has added at least 17 points per game. Aaron Gordon has also improved his game and has added 16.3 points per game.
Denver has scored 118.3 points per 100 possessions while adding an NBA-best 57.9% effective field goal percentage. The Nuggets don’t get to the foul line at a high rate but will have success on the offensive glass.
On defense, Denver has limited foul shots and kept offense rebounds down to 26%. However, teams have still scored 114.6 points per 100 possessions. That ranks 17th in the NBA on the defensive end.
Minnesota Timberwolves
On the other hand, the Timberwolves are a mess. Yes, they’re in the playoffs, but it took multiple Play-In games to happen. Jaden McDaniels is out for the season with a broken hand, and Rudy Gobert, while finally healthy, probably isn’t the most liked around the locker room.
The Timberwolves dominated the Thunder in the Play-In game for the 8-seed, 120-95, and were led by Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 28 points on 11-for-16 from the field.
Minnesota has the talent to compete with any team in the league. Towns had been hurt for most of the year, but he’s back. The team also has Anthony Edwards, who led Minnesota with 24.6 points per game. Rudy Gobert is an electric defensive player and Mike Conley is their veteran guard that can do a bit of everything. The same goes for glue guy Kyle Anderson.
Minnesota added just 114.2 points per 100 possessions this season. The team lacked offensive rebounds and turned the ball over 15.1% of the time. Yet defensively, when healthy, the Timberwolves can keep teams off the scoreboard. Opponents added 113.7 points per 100 possessions and Minnesota earned 15.2% of turnovers.
Still, the Timberwolves were ineffective on the defensive glass and sent many teams to the foul line this year.
Season Series
The Timberwolves and Nuggets played four games against each other. Each team won two games, with all wins coming at home.
The winning team scored at least 122 points in all four games so we can expect plenty of points in this potential seven-game series.
Best Bets
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
The Timberwolves and Nuggets played four games against each other. Each team won two games, with all wins coming at home.
The winning team added at least 122 points in all four games. So we can expect plenty of points in this potential seven-game series.
Series Winner
Don’t be surprised if Minnesota sticks around this series. They’ve been playing consistently, thanks to two Play-In games. Minnesota has Rudy Gobert back and healthy, and Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the better players in the league.
Minnesota has a nice mix of veterans and younger players and could earn multiple wins on their home floor.
I’ll take the Timberwolves +2.5 in the series at -135.
Bet: Timberwolves +2.5 Games in Series (-135)
Series Total Games
Again, the Timberwolves have a good enough defense to stick around against the Nuggets. The Nuggets have never been known for their defense, they’ve just been too dominant on the offensive end.
However, Minnesota has shot a 56.3% effective field goal percentage and has a balanced lineup when most of the team is healthy. The Timberwolves are still a dangerous 8-seed regardless of their 42-40 record.
I like this to potentially go seven games, but I think we’ll at least see six. Minnesota can win a couple at home. Look how they did against the Thunder at home in a must-win game last night.
Bet: Over 5.5 (-115)
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