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The 2nd-seeded Denver Nuggets meet the 3-seed Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of a best-of-7 Western Conference, 2nd-round series Friday. The Timberwolves lead the series 2-0. Tip-off from Target Center is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Nuggets fell into a 2-0 hole in the series after a 26-point loss to Minnesota Monday. When your team commits 19 turnovers and your league MVP C Nikola Jokic gives you his lowest point total (16) of the playoffs, you’re usually going to lose. F Aaron Gordon led all Denver scorers with 20 points.
The duo of C Karl-Anthony Towns and G Anthony Edwards carried the Timberwolves to victory with 27 points each. Minnesota dominated in the paint despite being without C Rudy Gobert, outscoring the Nuggets 52-34. They also shot 50% (42-for-84) as a team from the field. They have to be feeling good in returning home to the Target Center with a commanding 2-0 series lead.
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 5:36 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Timberwolves -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets +4.5 (-110) | Timberwolves -4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 204.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Nuggets at Timberwolves key injuries
Nuggets
- G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (abdomen) questionable
- G Reggie Jackson (ankle) questionable
- G Jamal Murray (calf) questionable
Timberwolves
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Nuggets at Timberwolves picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 109, Timberwolves 106
Moneyline
It’s hard to believe that the defending NBA champs will go down 3-0 in this series even if they have to pull one out on the road. Don’t get me wrong, it won’t be easy, but I believe Jokic wills them to a win Friday night. They played about as bad as they could possibly play in Game 2 Monday and that won’t happen 2 games in a row.
I like getting Denver with the juicy plus-odds to just get the victory.
BET NUGGETS (+155).
Against the spread
PASS.
I’m going to stay away from the spread in this one. I’d rather put my wager on the moneyline with those plus-odds. But if you prefer taking insurance with the +4.5 points, I get it.
Over/Under
This 204.5 O/U line is just too low to pass on. These 2 teams have gone Under the total in 3 of their last 4 matchups but all those games had totals around 210 or more.
After getting held to 80 points Monday, Denver will come out firing in this one. No way the Nuggets shoot as bad as they did in the last game again (29-for-83; 34.9%).
BET OVER 204.5 (-110).
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