Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 03/05/2024, 13:33  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 04/05/2024 at 11:00 in NBA Prediction

The Minnesota Timberwolves arrive at Ball Arena to face the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference semi-finals this Sunday. The hosts won 57 games in the regular season to finish as the number two seed, while the visitors ended one win behind in third. 

Throughout the season, the Nuggets and the Timberwolves vied for the top seed, with the Nuggets ultimately delivering a decisive blow to Minnesota's hopes in the penultimate game. Despite both teams falling short to Oklahoma City for the top seed, their close regular-season standings hint at a competitive playoff series. Jamal Murray sealed Denver's victory in the first round against the Los Angeles Lakers with another game-winning shot, mirroring his earlier buzzer-beater in Game 2. Denver boasts an impressive home record - the second-best in the NBA this season at 33-8, a trend that continued in the first round with three home wins. In last year's first-round matchup against Minnesota, the Nuggets were excellent at 3-point shooting, converting 38.9% of their attempts, and are the favourites heading into this one. 

Led by their All-Stars Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves secured a decisive 122-116 victory in Game 4, completing a 4-0 sweep of the Suns in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Edwards erupted for 31 second-half points, finishing with 40 overall, while Towns contributed 28 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists, in one of his best performances of the series. This victory marked the Timberwolves' first playoff series win since Kevin Garnett led them to the Western Conference finals in 2004. With defensive assets like elite rim protector Rudy Gobert, versatile wing Jaden McDaniels, and veteran guard Mike Conley, the Timberwolves boast a formidable defensive arsenal. Additionally, they have Edwards, arguably the best shooting guard in the league but their biggest challenge will lie in containing Nikola Jokic, who averaged 33.3 points and 11.8 rebounds in the regular-season series and is likely among the top of the list for another MVP award.