The Denver Nuggets battle the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of their 1st-round playoff series on Friday. Tip from Target Center is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Denver takes a 2-0 series lead to Minnesota after back-to-back home wins. On Wednesday they took down the Wolves 122-113 to cover as an 8-point favorite. G Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with a 40-point performance while shooting 6-of-10 from 3. C Nikola Jokic scored 27 points while F Aaron Gordon posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Minnesota did not go down without a fight as G Anthony Edwards scored 41 points, C Rudy Gobert added 19 and F Karl-Anthony Towns posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. While 6 of 8 of the Wolves players scored in double digits, they will need more rounded scoring to compete in Game 3.
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Nuggets at Timberwolves odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:49 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Timberwolves +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets -2.5 (-110) | Timberwolves +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 222.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Nuggets at Timberwolves key injuries
Nuggets
- Nikola Jokic (wrist) probable
Timberwolves
- Rudy Gobert (back) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Nuggets at Timberwolves picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 111, Timberwolves 103
Moneyline
PASS.
The spread presents a better play on the Nuggets than the moneyline.
Against the spread
LEAN NUGGETS -2.5 (-110).
Whether Gobert plays or not for the Timberwolves could greatly affect their ability to guard Jokic, but regardless, with a lack of bench scoring and lack of overall scoring from the collective team, the Wolves will continue to struggle against the Nuggets.
Denver is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games while Minnesota is 5-5 ATS in its last 10. Minnesota is also just 6-9 ATS this season when playing as a 1-2.5-point underdog.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 222.5 (-105).
The Under is 9-1 in Denver’s last 10 when their opponent scores 100 or more points in their previous game. It is also 8-1 in the Nuggets’ last 9 games following an outright win and 11-2 in their last 13 games after allowing 100-plus points in their previous game.
The Under is 4-1 in the Wolves’ last 5 games playing on a day’s rest and 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 100 or more points in their previous game. The Under is also 24-16-1 when the Wolves play at home this season.
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