Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 25/04/2023, 09:16  by Joseph King | Modified on 25/04/2023 at 09:16 in NBA Prediction

The NBA Playoffs Western Conference first round sees the Denver Nuggets looking to close out the series when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves for game five with a 3-1 series lead. After dropping the first three games to be faced with a mammoth 3-0 deficit and facing a potential series sweep, the Timberwolves were able to battle back and grab a game four overtime win by the score of 114-108. However, they still face a monumental challenge if they are to turn things around and upset the top-seeded Denver Nuggets. The series now returns back to the Pepsi Center where the Nuggets have been superb this season. The home team needs only one more win to advance to a second round matchup against either the Phoenix Suns or the LA Clippers.

Denver, who finished with a Western Conference leading 53 wins, have fared well against Minnesota this season when including the team’s regular season meetings. Denver has won five of the eight total matchups between the two sides including all four of their encounters at the Pepsi Center. Among those wins was a regular season meeting where Nikola Jokic and company put up a massive 146 points at this arena back in February. Denver has been near unstoppable in front of the home fans this season and have racked up an intimidating home record of 34 wins and only seven losses. The oddsmakers have the Nuggets as double-digit favorites to close things out here with not a lot of confidence being placed in the inexperienced Timberwolves. 

Minnesota, however, can certainly take confidence from their game four performance. While they will have to be at their absolute best to extend this series to a game six, they will take inspiration from their flourishing young star Anthony Edwards. The 21-year-old has absolutely dominated from game two onwards where he has averaged 37 points per game while shooting 42% from downtown. Where Minnesota has been let down is in their already established star Karl Anthony-Towns. The big man has been disappointing this series with only one game where he has scored over 20 points. The TWolves will need both Edwards and Towns to deliver if they are to stand a chance at clawing back to 3-2 in the series.