A Western Conference rivalry is set for Tuesday as the Denver Nuggets face the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets, with a 47-28 record (25-12 at home), will host the 43-32 Timberwolves (20-16 on the road). Both teams aim for their third consecutive victory. Denver recently dominated the Utah Jazz 129-93, while Minnesota defeated the Detroit Pistons 123-104. Key Nuggets players Nikola Jokic and Christian Braun are probable to play, while Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray are questionable. Minnesota will miss Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo due to suspensions.
The game will tip off at 10 p.m. ET at Ball Arena in Denver. The Nuggets are favored by 3.5 points, and the over/under for total points is set at 232. The money line is Denver -160 and Minnesota +135. Experts recommend consulting prediction models before making any bets.
The SportsLine Projection Model, known for its accuracy in NBA predictions over six seasons, simulates each game 10,000 times. It boasts a significant profit for bettors and is currently on a 155-115 run on top-rated NBA picks, earning nearly $4,000 for $100 players. Its spread picks this season are also impressive at 21-10 (68%).
Nuggets` Strengths
Denver`s recent 36-point victory over the Jazz was their largest since December 2023. They are currently the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and are striving to improve their seeding to avoid a potential playoff matchup with the top-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder.
Nikola Jokic, the three-time NBA MVP, continues to perform at an elite level, averaging a triple-double with 29.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game.
Timberwolves` Strengths
Minnesota is coming off a strong 123-104 victory against the Detroit Pistons, highlighted by Julius Randle`s 26 points and Rudy Gobert`s double-double with 19 points and 25 rebounds. Anthony Edwards is also a key player, averaging a career-high 27.2 points per game and consistently scoring 25+ points against the Nuggets in their last six encounters.
Game Prediction
SportsLine`s simulation model projects a total of 228 points for the game, leaning towards the Under. The model also indicates a strong probability for one side of the spread to hit. For detailed NBA picks and predictions, refer to SportsLine.
Jasper Hawthorne