Spread<\/p>\n
Nuggets -2.5 (-108)Timberwolves +2.5 (-112)<\/p>\n
Moneyline<\/p>\n
Nuggets: -135Timberwolves: +114<\/p>\n
Total<\/p>\n
233.5 (Over -115\/Under -105)Nuggets vs. Timberwolves How to WatchDate: Thursday, April 23Time: 9:30 p.m. ESTVenue: Target CenterHow to Watch (TV): Prime VideoSeries: Tied 1-1Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Injury ReportsNuggets Injury ReportAaron Gordon — probablePeyton Watson — outTimberwolves Injury ReportAnthony Edwards — questionableNuggets vs. Timberwolves Best NBA Prop BetsNuggets Best NBA Prop BetNikola Jokic OVER 9.5 Assists (-138)<\/p>\n
Earlier today, I shared in my NBA Best Bets column \u2013 Peter\u2019s Points<\/a> \u2013 why Jokic is due for a bounce-back showing in Game 3:\u00a0<\/p>\n Nikola Jokic appeared to be well on his way to another big game as a passer in Game 2, but he only recorded a couple of assists after the first quarter in the Nuggets\u2019 loss.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Timberwolves changed up their game plan a bit, having Rudy Gobert guard Jokic one-on-one to force the big man to attack more as a scorer. The result? A Denver loss and an 8-for-20 shooting game from the three-time NBA MVP.\u00a0<\/p>\n I don\u2019t expect that to continue in Game 3, and I\u2019m going to take Jokic to finish with double-digit assists on Thursday. He reached 10 or more dimes in three of four regular-season meetings with the Wolves and had 11 dimes in Game 1.\u00a0<\/p>\n This postseason, Jokic is averaging 20.5 potential assists per game, and he may just need a better shooting night from Denver to blow past this prop. After all, the MVP candidate averaged 10.7 assists per game in the regular season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction and Pick<\/p>\n This series has been extremely tough to predict, as Denver trailed early but ended up covering Game 1 while the Timberwolves rallied from an early double-digit deficit to pull off an upset in Game 2.\u00a0<\/p>\n I think this matchup is pretty even, and I don\u2019t mind taking the points on Thursday with Minnesota at home.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Nuggets struggled during the regular season as road favorites, going just 12-15 against the spread, and they didn\u2019t execute well down the stretch in Game 2.\u00a0<\/p>\n Minnesota has to be happy with a split in Denver since Anthony Edwards shot 7-for-19 and 10-for-25 in the first two games of this series. After two days off, the star guard may be in a better spot as he\u2019s dealing with a knee injury that he suffered late in the regular season.\u00a0<\/p>\n The decision to play Jokic straight up in Game 2 worked wonders for Minnesota, and Julius Randle (24 points, nine rebounds, six assists in Game 2) had one of his best games in weeks. If Randle plays at an All-Star level, the Wolves are a really tough team to beat \u2013 even for Denver.<\/p>\n The Nuggets\u2019 offensive rating is nine points lower in the playoffs than it was during the regular season, which makes their shaky defense a bigger issue heading into Game 3. Minnesota should be able to cover this number and is a threat to win outright tonight.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Pick: Timberwolves +2.5 (-112 at DraftKings)<\/a><\/p>\n Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.<\/p>\n If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/p>\n Find Peter Dewey’s\u00a0NBA betting record here<\/a>\u00a0(futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on \u00a0BetStamp here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Claim the latest\u00a0DraftKings promo code<\/a>\u00a0offer today. Sign up and get\u00a0$300 in bonus bets instantly when you make your first $5 bet<\/a>\u00a0and that bet wins.<\/p>\n
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