The Denver Nuggets (1-1) and Minnesota Timberwolves (1-1) will meet in Game 3 in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs tonight. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The game will broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video.
The Nuggets are 2.5-point favorites over the Wolves on the spread (Nuggets -2.5), with the over/under set at 233.5 total points. Denver is a -135 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Minnesota is +114 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, April 23.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves Prediction
- Nuggets vs Timberwolves pick: Timberwolves Moneyline (+114)
My Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 3 best bet is on Minnesota moneyline at +114. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 3 Odds
| Nuggets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -105 | 233.5 -112o / -108u | -135 |
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -115 | 233.5 -112o / -108u | +114 |
Nuggets vs Timberwolves NBA Playoffs Game 3 Preview
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview, Analysis
The Nuggets could have (and probably should have) won Game 2. They jumped out to a 19-point lead early and carried a solid lead into the fourth quarter. However, Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, one of the best clutch duos in recent league history, shot a combined 2-of-12 in the fourth quarter — so, they lost.
Denver doesn’t respond in moments like this. It’s the moment after this that they respond. This is the “you better win this game or you’re in trouble” game. Denver usually loses these games — and then, when they are actually in trouble, they'll bounce back and win.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview, Analysis
The Timberwolves know that despite the fact they have a worse roster than they did two years ago, and Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid are currently playing through injuries, they can beat Denver if they get everything just right. Now, they get to play at home with momentum and confidence.
I think the Wolves win Game 3 in a blowout, the Nuggets rally to split in Game 4 and re-take the lead in Game 5, and then they'll get blown out in Game 6 in Minnesota. Then, we’re back to a Game 7 where Denver blew a 20-point lead two years ago and got wiped out by Oklahoma City last year. But this game? This is a bad spot for the Nuggets.
Minnesota's shooting will get better and Denver's will get worse — and the Nuggets haven't shot the ball all that well to begin with in this series.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves Pick, Betting Analysis
Moneyline: Timberwolves ML
Minnesota has found a small-ball rotation to hurt Denver with. Not just that, though, but the Wolves have figured out when to deploy it, using it against Jokic in staggered lineups in the second and fourth quarters after pushing with Rudy Gobert and Edwards in the non-Jokic minutes.
Denver has counters, but getting to them is difficult, and the Nuggets are reeling from a devastating Game 2 loss. I believe Denver will win the series, but I think they’ll face an uphill battle after losing Game 3 tonight.
Total: Over 233.5
The most likely scenario is Minnesota puts up a huge number against Denver’s porous defense. Even if the Wolves hold Denver down for a long while, the pace of garbage time could push them over.
If I’m wrong, it’s because Denver puts up a huge number offensively. If the Wolves win a tight one, the odds of going to overtime are high.
The Nuggets' offense is too good and their defense is too bad — and it seems like Minnesota has found some answers offensively.
Prop: Naz Reid Under 1.5 Three-Pointers Made
Reid has a shoulder injury. It’s evident and it’s significant. It’s not just the fact that he’s not making threes, he’s not shooting them either.
It’s possible that treatment and/or an injection loosens it up and he nails two tonight, but I’ll take my chances with a compromised shoulder holding him under 1.5 three-pointers in Game 3.
Moore's Nuggets vs Timberwolves Best Bets
- Timberwolves Moneyline (+114)
- Over 233.5 (-112)
- Naz Reid Under 1.5 Three-Pointers Made (-104)
