Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves 4/21/2023 Predictions, Free Picks and Odds
West 1st Round – Game 3, DEN leads series 2-0
In Friday’s Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinals, the Minnesota Timberwolves will be hosting the Denver Nuggets at the Target Center. Denver is currently up 2-0 in the series following their impressive 122-113 victory over Minnesota in Game 2 on Wednesday. Jamal Murray was the standout performer for Denver, putting up a staggering 40 points and dishing out five assists on an efficient 13 of 22 shooting. He received ample support from Nikola Jokic, who contributed 27 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, and Michael Porter Jr., who made a significant impact with 16 points on five of seven shooting.
Denver’s shooting was on point in Game 2, as they hit an impressive 54.1% of their shots overall and 45.5% from beyond the arc. They established a commanding 21-point lead early on and never looked back. Murray has been a force to be reckoned with in the postseason so far, leading the team with an average of 33.0 points per game and also topping the team in assists with an average of 6.5 assists per game. Jokic has been a dominant force on the boards, averaging 11.5 rebounds per game. Denver’s balanced scoring attack, with six players averaging double figures, has been a key factor in their success, as they are averaging 115.5 points per game as a team.
- The Denver Nuggets are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games on the road against Minnesota.
- The Nuggets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against an opponent in the Western Conference.
- The total went OVER in 4 of Denver’s last 5 games against an opponent in the NW Division.
Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves 4/21/2023 Predictions, Free Picks and Odds
On the other side of the court, the Minnesota Timberwolves will be eager to regroup and narrow the series deficit to 2-1 with a win at home in Game 3. In their Game 2 loss, rookie sensation Anthony Edwards was the bright spot for Minnesota, leading the team with an impressive 41 points. Despite shooting a respectable 50.6% from the field, the Timberwolves struggled with turnovers, committing three more than the Denver Nuggets. Karl-Anthony Towns, who led Minnesota in rebounding with 12 boards, had a tough time finding his scoring touch, finishing with just 10 points on a challenging 5-for-17 shooting.
Through the first two games of the postseason, Anthony Edwards has been the go-to scorer for Minnesota, averaging an impressive 29.5 points per game, while Rudy Gobert has been a force on the boards, averaging 11.5 rebounds per game. Edwards also leads the team in assists, averaging 5.5 assists per game, showcasing his versatility on the court. Although the Timberwolves have five players averaging double figures in scoring, they have struggled to match the scoring output of their opponents, Denver, averaging 96.5 points per game as a team.
In Game 2, the Timberwolves showed resilience as they shot 50 percent from the field and 14 of 31 from beyond the arc, working hard to erase a 21-point deficit and even taking the lead after three quarters. However, they stumbled in the final quarter, allowing the Nuggets to score 35 points and slip away with the win. Minnesota will need to address their turnovers and find a way to sustain their scoring momentum for a full game to have a chance at closing the series gap in Game 3 against a tough Denver team.
- The total stayed UNDER in 11 of the T-Wolves last 15 games with a team in the West.
- Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games against an opponent in the Northwest Division.
- The Minnesota Timberwolves are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games played on a Friday.
Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves. The NBA pick for this game is the Denver Nuggets. The Denver Nuggets come into Minnesota with a formidable 5-game winning streak, seeking to extend it to 6 straight wins. Notably, the Nuggets have more road wins this season compared to the Timberwolves’ wins on their home court, indicating their prowess on the road. Keep an eye on Nuggets’ star player Nikola Jokic, who could be the key factor in this game with his all-around skills. Based on the team’s recent performance and Jokic’s potential impact, it might be wise to favor the road team in this matchup. As a final score prediction, the Denver Nuggets are expected to come out on top and cover the ATS (Against The Spread) with a projected score of 115-100.
NBA Starting Time: 9:30 PM (EDT)
Location: Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date: Tuesday, February 1, 2021
TV: ESPN
NBA Odds: Denver Nuggets -3.5
NBA Totals: 223.5
