The 2023 NBA playoff first-round battle between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves resumes on Friday evening in Minneapolis. The Nuggets (53-29) secured the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference but logged a 19-22 road record in the regular season. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves (42-40) had a 22-19 record at the Target Center. Rudy Gobert (back) is questionable for the Wolves, while Jaden McDaniels (hand) and Naz Reid (wrist) are out.
Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists Denver as a 2-point favorite in the latest Nuggets vs. Timberwolves odds. The over/under for total points is 222. Before you make any Wolves vs. Nuggets picks, you need to see the NBA playoff predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the 2023 NBA playoffs a stunning 71-37 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Nuggets vs. Timberwolves and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Nuggets vs. Wolves:
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves spread: Denver -2
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Over-Under: 222 points
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves money line: Denver -130, Minnesota +110
- MIN: Under is 4-1 in Timberwolves' last 5 games playing on one day of rest
- DEN: Nuggets are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 Friday games
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Nuggets can cover
Center Nikola Jokic does everything for the Nuggets. Jokic has outstanding court vision and is able to orchestrate the offense with ease. The five-time All-Star is relentless on the boards and runs a calming pace. Jokic leads the team in rebounds (11.5) and assists (7.5) with 20 points per game this series. In Game 2, Jokic finished with 27 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.
Guard Bruce Brown is an energetic player off the bench. Brown is a team-first guy who does all the dirty work every time he touches the floor. The Miami product is a sound defender and is a strong rebounder for his size (6-foot-4). Brown averages 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists per game in the series. In Game 1, he finished with 14 points and three boards. See which team to back here.
Why the Timberwolves can cover
Forward Kyle Anderson plays with smooth pace, does a great job setting up teammates, and likes to put the ball on the deck. The UCLA product can also knock down mid-range jumpers with ease. Anderson is averaging 10.5 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game off the bench in this series. In his last outing, he finished with 10 points, seven boards, and four assists.
Guard Mike Conley brings a veteran presence onto the floor. Conley owns solid ball handles and a reliable perimeter jumper. The Ohio State product leads the team in assists (5.0) and is third in scoring (11) during this first-round matchup. On Wednesday, Conley supplied 14 points, seven assists, and went 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. See which team to back here.
How to make Nuggets vs. Timberwolves picks
SportsLine's model has simulated Timberwolves vs. Nuggets and is leaning Over on the point total, projecting 226 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 60% of simulations. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Nuggets vs. Wolves? And which side of the spread hits over 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Wolves vs. Nuggets spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is 71-37 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
