Next up on our NBA schedule of best bets and playoffs predictions is a Game 3 showdown in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. The series shifts to Minneapolis with tip-off scheduled for 9:30 pm EST inside Target Center on ESPN.
This is one of three NBA matchups on the Friday slate with this one set to jump it up last, preceded by Celtics-Hawks and Cavaliers-Knicks. Denver will be looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead after holding serve on their home court, winning by 29 and 9 points, respectively.
Continue reading for our Nuggets vs Timberwolves prediction.
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Odds
Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Information
Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Location of the game: Target Center. Minneapolis, MN.
Date and Time: Friday, April 21, 2023 – 9:30 pm ET.
How to Watch: ESPN
Recent Scores
As noted, the Nuggets hold a 2-0 edge in this First Round series, blowing out the T-Wolves in the opener, 109-80, and then holding off a furious 2nd half rally in Game 2 to win 122-113. Denver blew a 21-point first-half lead in the second game, but now leads a playoff series 2-0 for the first time in the Mike Malone era.
Be sure to bookmark InsidersBettingDigest for a comprehensive look at NBA stats, NBA standings, NBA player stats and keep reading for our final Nuggets vs Timberwolves prediction.
Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Analysis
As has been heavily documented, no team in the history of the NBA playoffs has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-7 postseason series. So this is about as must-win as it gets for Minnesota who secured the 8-seed after losing to the Lakers and beating the Thunder in the Play-In round.
Jamal Murray, and not MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, has been the leading scorer for Denver through the first two games of this series. He tallied 24 in the opener and then dropped 40 in Game 2, the first time he’s ever eclipsed even 30 points in a home playoff game as we look into NBA team stats.
Ironically, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets score the exact same amount of points per game during the regular season (115.8), but the Nugs are in a higher class right now with eyes on a championship.
Odds Breakdown
Below are the NBA odds for Friday night’s Game 3 matchup:
Denver Nuggets
- Moneyline: -135
- Spread: -2.5
- Over/Under: 223
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Moneyline: +115
- Spread: +2.5
- Over/Under: 223
Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Pick and Prediction
Denver has never lost a series when going up 2-0, but they’ve also only gone up 3-0 once in their postseason history. Meanwhile, the Wolves have never come back from an 0-2 hole but they have won Game 3 in three of their last five tries. Perhaps that’s why you’re getting this number as this will be a kitchen-sink game for the Wolves in front of their home crowd.
Minnesota was in contention in Game 2 thanks to Anthony Edwards as the second-year star poured in 41 points. But they’ll need Karl Anthony-Towns to step up if they have any hope as KAT has gone just 8-27 from the field through two games.
This will be the best value Nuggets’ bettors are going to get this series because if they win, the line will shoot back up for a potential close-out Game 4. Denver is also 7-1 ATS in their last eight games played on Friday so this series could be over by the end of the weekend. Our final Nuggets vs Timberwolves prediction is below.
- Pick: Nuggets -2.5
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