Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Prediction
The eighth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Denver to take on the top-seeded Nuggets on TNT Wednesday night at 10:00 PM ET in Game 2 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Can the Nuggets cover the 8.5-point spread as home favorites?
Denver leads the series 1-0.
The Minnesota Timberwolves went 42-40 in the regular season. They are 1-2 in the play-in and playoffs this season. The Timberwolves are 42-43 ATS on the year.
The Denver Nuggets went 53-29 in the regular season. They’re 1-0 in the playoffs this season. The Nuggets are 45-37-1 ATS on the year.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
543 Minnesota Timberwolves (+8.5) at 544 Denver Nuggets (-8.5); O/U 223.5
10:00 PM ET, Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Public Betting Information
Our NBA Public Betting Information page indicates that 59% of public bettors are currently backing the Nuggets -8.5 in this contest. Note that these numbers are subject to change, so be sure to check the link to receive the most up-to-date public betting data.
Minnesota Timberwolves DFS Spin
Minnesota shooting guard Jaylen Nowell is questionable for Wednesday’s game with left knee tendinopathy. Nowell scored 12 points in 22 minutes off the bench for the Timberwolves in Game 1 of this series. Minnesota center Rudy Gobert is officially listed as questionable for Game 2 on Wednesday with back spasms. Gobert logged 8 points and 13 rebounds in 26 minutes in Game 1 on Sunday.
Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards had a breakout statistical season for Minnesota. The former #1 overall pick out of Georgia averaged 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game for Minnesota during the regular season. He only made 6 of 15 shot attempts in Game 1 but Edwards appears to be a good candidate for a bounce-back effort on Wednesday.
Denver Nuggets DFS Spin
Denver superstar center Nikola Jokic is officially listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game with a right wrist sprain. Jokic himself didn’t seem too worried about the injury when asked by the media, and many close to the team expect the Serbian big man to play on Wednesday.
For a DFS sleeper at shooting guard, consider Denver’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope poured in 15 points on 6 of 11 field goal attempts in Game 1 on Sunday, and he should be in line for some open shots against a Minnesota defense that allowed 115.4 points per game during the regular season.
Timberwolves vs. Nuggets NBA Betting Trends
Minnesota is 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games playing on 2 days’ rest.
Denver is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games playing on 2 days’ rest.
Denver is 19-8 ATS in their last 27 home games.
Denver is 23-9 ATS in their last 32 games against a team with a winning straight-up record.
Timberwolves vs. Nuggets NBA Prediction
Denver smashed Minnesota in Game 1 of this series on Sunday, 109-80. You could make the case that the Timberwolves were simply tired from their two play-in tournament games earlier in the week, but I think Sunday’s game was indicative of larger, deep-seated issues with Minnesota. The Timberwolves do not have a good offense, as they ranked 24th in the league this season in offensive efficiency. Against a team like Denver that can light up the scoreboard seemingly at will, that’s going to be a problem. When you factor in some of the weird team chemistry problems that Minnesota seems to be having (Rudy Gobert punching Kyle Anderson, Jaden McDaniels punching a wall) I just don’t see the Timberwolves being able to keep this game close. I’ll lay the points with the Nuggets at home on Wednesday.
NBA BETTING PREDICTION: DENVER NUGGETS -8.5
