Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 18/05/2024, 08:39  by Devesh Jaganath in NBA Predictions

It’s now or never for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets, who will meet in Game 7 of the Western Conference semi-finals at Ball Arena on Sunday. The Timberwolves routed the Nuggets in Game 6 to tie the series 3-3. 

Showing off their defensive prowess, which made them the stingiest team in the NBA during the regular season, the Timberwolves secured a convincing 115-70 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 on Thursday, keeping their season alive. This margin of victory marked the second-largest by a team facing elimination in NBA history. Anthony Edwards led the charge for the Wolves with 27 points, supported by Jaden McDaniels. Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Naz Reid combined for 38 rebounds while effectively neutralizing MVP Nikola Jokic's impact despite his efforts to rally the Nuggets. The Wolves dominated Game 6 from start to finish, limiting the Nuggets to just 14 points in the first quarter. Additionally, their bench outscored the Nuggets 36-9, including a decisive 24-0 run in the fourth quarter that extended their lead to a commanding 49 points. With momentum from that impressive performance, will Edwards and the Timberwolves manage to pull off a stunning upset and defeat Denver in Game 7?

Denver experienced a cold shooting night, with MVP Nikola Jokic being the most efficient player yet again. Jokic managed to score 22 points on 9-of-19 (47.3%) shooting from the field, but the rest of the Nuggets struggled, shooting just 17 of 67 (25.%) collectively, with Jamal Murray only managing 4-of-18. Jokic was limited to just two assists, marking the first time he's posted fewer than seven assists in this year's postseason. In summary, the Nuggets appeared outmatched and outplayed in Game 6, resembling boys competing against men. Although the Nuggets have now lost control of the series twice (first after dropping the first two games and again on Thursday), they managed to regain it the first time. While they were outclassed and outplayed in Game 6, the facts are that this series is shifting back to Denver for Game 7, the Nuggets are the reigning champs, and Jokic and Murray typically come out swinging when their backs are against the wall.