The Minnesota Timberwolves (20-10) and Denver Nuggets (21-8) will face off in the NBA on Christmas Day. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The game will be broadcast live on ABC.
The Nuggets are 2-point favorites over the Timberwolves on the spread (Nuggets -2), with the over/under set at 239.5 total points. Denver is a -125 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Minnesota is +102 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Timberwolves vs. Nuggets predictions and NBA picks for Christmas Day.
Timberwolves vs Nuggets Prediction, Picks
- Timberwolves vs Nuggets pick: Timberwolves Moneyline (+110)
My Nuggets vs Timberwolves best bet is on Minnesota moneyline, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. However, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Timberwolves vs Nuggets Odds
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 239.5 -110o / -110u | +102 |
| Nuggets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 239.5 -110o / -110u | -125 |
Timberwolves vs Nuggets NBA Christmas Day Preview
On Tuesday night, the Nuggets went down by 21 in the first half and could not complete the comeback as they fell 131-130 in Dallas.
Denver's 12-game winning streak on the road came to an end, falling back to the third spot in the Western Conference. Despite the loss, Jamal Murray had 31 points and 14 assists, while Nikola Jokic had 29 points and 14 assists.
Jokic and Murray have led the NBA's best offense this season, which is even more impressive considering that Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun have both missed significant time.
The Nuggets suffered another injury when Cameron Johnson went down in the fourth quarter against the Mavericks. Fortunately, the injury is not serious, but he will miss some time (including tonight's game) due to a hyperextension of his right knee.
On Tuesday, the Timberwolves welcomed an old friend back to Minnesota as former franchise stalwart Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks returned.
The Timberwolves defeated Towns for the first time, securing a 115-104 victory.
Anthony Edwards led the way with 38 points for his sixth 30-point game in his last 10 games. Julius Randle added 25 points (17 in the fourth quarter) against his former team as well.
The Timberwolves have won three straight and eight of their last 10 games. They enter this matchup 10th in offensive rating and fifth in defensive rating. They are also just percentage points behind the Lakers for the fourth seed in the Western Conference.
Timberwolves vs Nuggets Prediction, Betting Analysis
Minnesota has won four of the six past regular-season meetings in this series. The road team has won each of the best four meetings, and I see that trend continuing.
Johnson puts the Nuggets down three starters, while Minnesota will be at full strength if Jaden McDaniels (questionable) is available tonight.
Minnesota will also have the edge defensively, ranking fifth in defensive rating while Denver is 24th and missing the three best defenders in its starting lineup.
While a herculean effort is certainly possible from the three-time MVP Jokic with his team shorthanded, I like the Timberwolves to get it done on the road to cap the Christmas slate. It would be their fourth consecutive away win.
Given the showman that he is, Edwards will be looking to have a big performance on Christmas.
In his first Christmas Day game last year, he had 26 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. He enters this game with at least 30 points plus rebounds in seven of his previous games, as well as in five straight against the Nuggets.
Meanwhile, Randle has scored 20 points in six straight against Denver and in seven of his last 10 games.
Tim Hardaway Jr. has made nine 3s in two games against Minnesota this season. He has also knocked down at least two in eight of his last 10 games.
With the bulk of the attention on Jokic and Murray tonight, he will be one of the role players needed to step up.
Pick: Timberwolves ML (+110, bet365)
Timberwolves vs Nuggets Parlay Picks
- Anthony Edwards 30+ Points + Rebounds
- Julius Randle 20+ Points
- Tim Hardaway 2+ Three Pointers Made
Parlay Odds: +186 via DraftKings
