The Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26) travel to face off against the Denver Nuggets (57-25) on Sunday, May 19th. This game will be played at Ball Arena in Denver and televised on TNT. The Timberwolves are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Nuggets are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Nuggets. Tip-off is set for 8:00 ET.
Timberwolves vs Nuggets
After a 31-14 first quarter, the Timberwolves never looked back in their 115-70 win over the Nuggets. Minnesota covered the spread as 2-point favorites and held Denver to just 30.2% shooting from the field. The 70 points allowed by the Timberwolves was their best defensive performance of the season. Going into the game, the over/under line was at 205.5 points, and the 185 combined points fell 20.5 points short of that mark.
Anthony Edwards led all scorers with 27 points and knocked down four threes on 44.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Jaden McDaniels also had a big game for the Timberwolves, scoring 21 points on 80% shooting from the field. On the other side, Nikola Jokic had 22 points and nine rebounds for the Nuggets.
Timberwolves Offense Breakdown
Minnesota comes into the game as the NBA’s 18th-ranked scoring offense, at 113 points per game. Their scoring average on the road is 113.7 points per game compared to 111.5 at home. The Timberwolves’ three-point shooting percentage of 38% is the 2nd best mark in the league but they are just 17th in made threes per game.
Anthony Edwards is averaging 27 points per game over his last five games on a field goal percentage of 53.9%. In that stretch, he also averaged six assists. For the season, he is averaging 25.9 points, 5.1 assists, and 5.4 rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds for the season while hitting 41.6% of his threes.
Nuggets Offense Breakdown
Denver is currently 17th in scoring this season, at 114.9 points per game. At home, they are 11th in the league, with an average of 116.4 points per contest. The Nuggets have been an efficient shooting team this year, as their field goal percentage of 49% is the 5th best mark in the NBA.
Nikola Jokic comes into the game averaging 27.4 points per game over his last five games on a shooting percentage of 55.1%. In these games, he has pulled down 10.6 rebounds and 7.8 assists. For the season, Jokic is averaging 26.4 points and 12.4 rebounds. Aaron Gordon is averaging 18 points and 6.2 rebounds in his last five games.
Timberwolves Team Defense
When it comes to defense, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been the best in the league, allowing just 105.9 points per game. This season, opponents have scored less than their season average in 81.7% of games vs. Minnesota. In terms of field goal percentage, the Timberwolves are also the best in the league at 45.2%.
When it comes to defending the three-point line, Minnesota is 4th in made threes allowed per game at 11.3. Overall, opponents are shooting just 35.8% from three vs. the Timberwolves. However, over their last five games, Minnesota has seen opponents shoot 38% from three.
On the glass, Minnesota is 14th in rebounds per game and 5th in defensive rebounds per game. They are also 7th in both steals and blocked shots per game. In terms of personal fouls, they are 11th.
Nuggets Team Defense
When it comes to defense, the Denver Nuggets have been one of the best units in the NBA this season, ranking 6th in points allowed per game at 109.0. That number is even better at home, where they are giving up just 108.0 points per contest, the 5th best mark in the league.
So far this season, opponents have scored less than their season average in 82.9% of games vs. the Nuggets. In terms of three-point shooting, Denver has been one of the best at defending the three-point line, ranking 2nd in three-point percentage allowed at 35.2%.
Over their last five games, Denver has been solid on the defensive end, ranking 4th in points allowed at 103.0 per contest. During that stretch, opponents have made just 35.5% of their three-point attempts vs. the Nuggets.
Key Players For The Timberwolves And Nuggets
Our projections for today’s game indicate that Anthony Edwards will be the primary scorer for the Timberwolves, with 27 points and going 9/20 from the field. During this season, he is delivering an average of 25.9 points per game, along with 5.4 rebounds.
As for Denver, Nikola Jokic is projected to be the primary scorer for the Nuggets. Our forecast has him finishing the game with 27, and adding 13 rebounds. This season, he has put together a field goal percentage of 58.3%, and he is contributing 26.4 points per game on average.
Timberwolves vs Nuggets Trends
- In their last ten games away from home, the Timberwolves have a straight up record of 7-3 while going 7-3 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 110 points per game in these contests.
- Across their last five home contests, Denver has been good against the spread posting a mark of 3-2. Their overall mark in these games was 3-2, while averaging 104 points per game.
- The last ten games that Minnesota was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 7-3 while going 6-4 straight up.
- Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Nuggets have a straight up record of 6-4. Their record vs the spread in these games was 4-6.
Timberwolves vs Nuggets Prediction
Coming in as the underdogs at +4.5, we have the Timberwolves as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.
As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 196.5 and our model has the Timberwolves and Nuggets finishing with a combined 221 points. Our pick is to take the over.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:May 19, 2024 Minnesota Timberwolves, Nuggets