Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Odds, Picks & Predictions - Game 3
A pair of Northwest Division squads continue their first-round series with a change of venue to the Twin Cities as the Denver Nuggets take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of their best-of-seven series Thursday night and we break down the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves matchup here. These teams opened their first-round series in Denver Saturday afternoon with the Nuggets picking up a 116-105 home victory. They covered the line as a seven-point favorite in that contest. Minnesota evened the series with a 119-114 road win Monday, winning outright as a 7.5-point underdog.
In the all-time playoff history between the teams, Minnesota has taken two of the three playoff series previously. Their win in Game 2 gave them a 10-9 advantage in head-to-head playoff victories. Let’s break down this Nuggets vs. Timberwolves matchup.
Nuggets Try to Regain Home Court Advantage
Denver had a chance to take a 2-0 series advantage at home but failed to deliver late. As a result, the Nuggets have to pick up a win on the road in order to have a chance at winning the series. In Game 2, Denver led by 14 after the opening quarter and as many as 19 only to find themselves even at intermission. They led by three after three quarters but were outscored 29-21 in the final stanza to end up with the loss. Jamal Murray paced the Nuggets with 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in the loss.
In the postseason, Denver is 3rd in the league in scoring offense with an average of 115 points per game this season. The Nuggets share 5th in rebounding by collecting 45 boards per contest. They are tied for 2nd by dishing out an average of 27.5 assists a night. Denver stands tied for 12th in scoring defense as they give up an average of 112 points a night. Nikola Jokic is second on the team in scoring with 24.5 points, 14 rebounds and 9.5 assists a night this season. Jamal Murray (30 points, seven assists) and Aaron Gordon (12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds) provide secondary scoring punch.
The Nuggets are 11th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 43.9% from the floor. Denver is tied for 5th as they connect on 12.5 three-pointers a night. The team is 10th in the league as they knock down 32.5% of their attempts from beyond the arc. The Nuggets are 2nd in the league in free throw shooting as they cash in 84.1% of their attempts on the season.
Key Injury Report for Nuggets:
- Guard Peyton Watson (hamstring) is out.
Minnesota Looking for 2-1 Series Advantage
Minnesota lost Game 1 and found themselves trailing big early in Game 2. That proved to be a wakeup call for the Timberwolves, who tied the game at the half and then rallied in the fourth quarter to earn the victory. The Timberwolves outscored the Nuggets 29-21 in the fourth quarter for the win. Minnesota shot 47.8% from the field in the contest. Anthony Edwards shook off a knee injury to score 30 points and 10 rebounds in the victory.
In the playoffs, Minnesota is tied for 4th in the league in scoring offense with 112 points per game. The Timberwolves stand tied for 3rd in rebounding by pulling down 46 boards a contest. They are 6th in assists by handing out 25.5 dimes a contest. Minnesota is below average on the defensive end of the floor as they are 14th in scoring defense by allowing 115 points per game. Anthony Edwards leads the team in scoring as he averages 26 points and 9.5 rebounds per contest. Julius Randle (20 points, eight rebounds) is a solid secondary scoring option.
The Timberwolves are 5th in the league in field goal percentage as they hit 46.9% from the floor. Minnesota is tied for 5th by splashing 12.5 three-pointers a night. They are 7th in three-point shooting by hitting 36.8% from beyond the arc. The Timberwolves are a below average team at the charity stripe. They are just 16th by converting 67.3% of their attempts on the year.
Key Injury Report for Timberwolves:
- Guard Anthony Edwards (knee) is questionable.
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5+ Get $100 in Bonus Bets Instantly! Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction
These teams split the first two meetings in the series but the Nuggets are lamenting missed opportunities. Denver had Minnesota on the ropes early in the contest but couldn’t close the deal. The Nuggets are a veteran team that learns from their mistakes and that is the situation they face here. Minnesota clawed back to steal Game 2 but their rotation is rather short as only seven players are logging double-digit minutes. The Timberwolves own the same record in the regular season at home (26-15) as Denver had on the road. Minnesota still doesn’t have the solution to contain Jokic. That proves to be the difference as the Nuggets take home court advantage back with a win here.
Our Prediction: Nuggets -1.5 (FanDuel, -115)
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