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The Minnesota Timberwolves return home with a positive attitude after squaring the series with the Denver Nuggets at 1-1 following their road victory Monday night. As a result of that win, the Timberwolves have presumably taken home-court advantage away from Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and the Nuggets.
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While most NBA playoffs series see players avoid trash talking the opposition, Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels has not gotten that memo. He called out the Nuggets for their lack of defensive skill, saying that Denver is simply not athletic enough to defend the rim and that Minnesota had a big advantage.
McDaniels deserves credit for speaking his mind, but he may have lit a fire under the Nuggets. Denver guard Cam Johnson was not surprised, because he said the Timberwolves have been big talkers for months. “Let them talk all they want,” Johnson said. “Let them get everything they want off of their chests.”
NBA odds courtesy of DraftKings
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Odds
Denver Nuggets: -2.5 (-108)
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Minnesota Timberwolves: +2.5 (-112)
Over: 233.5 (-112)
Under: 233.5 (-108)
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Key Injuries
Denver: Aaron Gordon (calf-probable)
Minnesota: Anthony Edwards (right knee injury maintenance-questionable)
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Betting Trends
The Nuggets had a 54-28 regular-season record.
The Nuggets have gone 45-39-0 ATS this season, including the postseason.
The Nuggets are 12-15-0 ATS as road favorites.
The Nuggets are 24-17-0 ATS on the road.
The Nuggets are -135 (bet $135 to win $100) on the money line.
The Timberwolves had a 49-33 regular-season record.
The Timberwolves have gone 37-47 ATS this season, including the postseason.
The Timberwolves are 18-23 ATS as a home team.
The Timberwolves are +114 (bet $100 to win $114) on the money line.
Keys to Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 3 Matchup
Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
The Nuggets are a seasoned team with plenty of playoff success over the years, and losing a game at home is not about to make them wilt. That is especially true for their 1-2 punch of Jokic and Murray.
Jokic is capable of dominating any game he plays in and he can be especially dangerous in the fourth quarter. He did not have one of his best performances in the 119-114 loss in Game 2. Jokic had 24 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists — numbers that would be celebratory for many players. However, Jokic was just 8 of 20 from the field and his 1 of 8 performance from beyond the arc is not likely to be repeated.
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Murray is coming off a 30-point effort and he also contributed 7 points and 7 rebounds. His ability to hit the outside shot or slash to the rim is vital to Denver’s chances of winning on the road.
Jokic averages 27.7 points, 12. 9 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game to lead the Nuggets. Murray is a big-time scorer as he averages 25.4 points per game. Aaron Gordon is also a key contributor with an average of 16.2 ppg.
When both Jokic and Murray are on their game, the Nuggets are very difficult to slow down
The Timberwolves were able to bounce back in Game 2 because Anthony Edwards had an inspiring 30-point night that included 10 rebounds. He was joined by Julius Randle, who contributed 24 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Perhaps the most underrated performer in Game 2 was Rudy Gobert, who had just 2 points in the victory. However, he did a magnificent defensive job against Jokic in the fourth quarter.
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Edwards was Minnesota’s leading scorer in the regular season as he averaged 28.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Randle was a solid No. 2 contributor with 21.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Donte DiVincenzo was often a spark plug for the T-Wolves with his hustle, clutch scoring and defensive ability.
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction and Pick
This series is about punching and counterpunching. Not the kind that are seen in the boxing ring, but the kind that leaves basketball fans on the edge of their seats. The Nuggets threw the first punch when they got the best of the Timberwolves in their Game 1 116-105 victory, taking over in the third quarter and holding off the visitors during the fourth quarter.
Minnesota demonstrated its ability to counterpunch in Game 2. The Timberwolves came from 19 points down to square the series as Edwards refused to let his sore right knee prevent him from having an impact in the game’s most important moments. The comeback was vital, because Denver was 8-0 when they have a 2-0 lead in a series while the Timberwolves were 0-8 when they lose the first two games of a series.
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Minnesota will have a raucous home crowd backing them in this game, but the Nuggets have faced hostile crowds in the past. The key may be the Timberwolves ability to play defense against Jokic when the game is on the line. Gobert was exceptional in Game 2 and he knows he will be counted on to do it again in this crucial game.
Final Nuggets-Timberwolves Prediction & Pick: Minnesota Timberwolves +2.5 (-112); OVER 233.5 (-112)
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