Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 14/05/2024, 04:54  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 15/05/2024 at 16:05 in NBA Predictions

The Western Conference Playoff sem-finals head back to Ball Arena for Game 5 between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. The series is tied at 2-2 with the visiting team winning every match to date. 

The Minnesota Timberwolves are feeling the pressure after their series lead vanished with a 115-110 loss to the Nuggets in Game 4 on Sunday. Despite Anthony Edwards leading the team with an impressive 44 points on 16 of 25 shooting, the lack of support for him proved to be a challenge. Mike Conley contributed 15 points with nine assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 13 points and 12 rebounds. Although the Timberwolves shot a respectable 47% from the field and 11 of 28 from beyond the arc, their defensive struggles persisted, allowing 64 points in the first half, which saw them trailing by as much as 18 points. Notably, the Nuggets have significantly improved their defense on Karl-Anthony Towns, limiting him to a combined 27 points in Games 3 and 4 after his strong performances in Games 1 and 2. Nikola Jokic remains the primary threat for the Timberwolves, and unless they can contain the three-time MVP, they risk falling behind for the first time in the series.

Meanwhile, in contrast to their early struggles at home, the Denver Nuggets appear to have regained their footing, clinching a hard-fought victory against the Timberwolves to even the series as they head back to Denver. Nikola Jokic showcased his dominance with an impressive 35 points, complemented by seven rebounds and seven assists, while Aaron Gordon contributed 27 points, and Jamal Murray added 19 points along with eight assists. The team collectively shot an impressive 57% from the field and connected on 13 of 29 three-point attempts. A strong second-quarter performance saw them surge ahead to an 18-point lead, providing a comfortable cushion against the Timberwolves' late attempts at a comeback. Notably, the Nuggets' bench also stepped up, outscoring their counterparts for the first time in the series. With home advantage now in their favor, the Nuggets are riding high and will be aiming to close out the series by Game 6. Despite Jamal Murray's calf strain, he is expected to take the court for Game 5.