How Minnesota Timberwolves Odds Are Making NBA Playoff Betting History

Entering the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the narrative was clear — or so we thought. The Denver Nuggets, eyeing back-to-back NBA titles, were supposedly destined to face the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. Nevertheless, the Minnesota Timberwolves have stolen the postseason spotlight, going 6-0 straight up and against the spread (ATS) while covering by 17.8 points per game. After grabbing a 2-0 series lead over Denver in the Western Conference semifinals, Timberwolves odds have made NBA betting history.

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timberwolves odds take center stage

After closing as 6.5-point underdogs on Monday, Minnesota delivered a blow to the defending champs — with a 26-point rout in the Mile High City. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch is now 14-6 (70%) ATS in the NBA postseason. That record is good for the second-best ATS winning percentage (minimum 20 games) for any coach in the last 20 years. Alvin Gentry (72%), whose success came mostly during his head coaching tenure with the Phoenix Suns, is the only one ahead of Finch.

Ironically, Finch hasn’t been coaching from his normal perch on the sidelines over the last two games. He underwent patellar tendon surgery in his right knee following a collision with Timberwolves guard Mike Conley in the fourth quarter of Minnesota’s series-clinching victory over the Suns.

Finch’s seat has been just behind the bench against the Nuggets. Assistant Micah Nori was the standing coach on the sideline for the Wolves’ two wins in Denver.

Despite the absence of Rudy Gobert, the lone four-time Defensive Player of the Year in NBA history, Minnesota limited Denver to a season-low 80 points in Game 2. Although the Timberwolves’ dominance was headline-worthy, their performance wasn’t shocking.

Finch’s crew earned the league’s top defensive rating during the regular season, surrendering 1.08 points per possession (PPP). Anthony Edwards & Co. have turned up the dial in their six playoff wins, surrendering an average of 1.05 PPP.

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Another Basketball Betting Milestone?

If the Wolves win the franchise’s first NBA crown, their historic run will follow another. UConn took college basketball odds by storm last season, becoming the first team to cover 12 straight games since the NCAA tournament field ballooned to 64 slots in 1985. The Huskies repeated as national championships for the first time since 2006-07 Florida.

Minnesota has the second-best odds to win the NBA Finals at . In this betting market, the Timberwolves are directly behind the aforementioned Celtics, who are set to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Conversely, the Nuggets will begin their attempt to overcome an 0-2 series deficit on Friday. Their NBA championship odds have risen as high as after opening the playoffs in the +280 range. Game 3 betting odds are listed below.

Bettors have finally bought into the Timberwolves, shifting the spread from -3.5 to in their favor.