Nuggets vs. Timberwolves NBA Playoffs Game 1 Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets
The Denver Nuggets (53-29) are 7.5-point favorites as they ready to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40) on April 16, 2023. The over/under for the game is 224.5.
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Odds
- Nuggets odds to win: -305
- Timberwolves odds to win: +246
- Spread: Nuggets (-7.5)
- Total: 224.5
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Promo Codes
Game Time and Information
- When: Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 10:30 PM ET
- Where: Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado
- TV: TNT
Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Timberwolves?
Nuggets and Timberwolves Betting Trends, Records Against the Spread
In games they have played as at least 7.5-point favorites this season, the Nuggets are 12-13-1 against the spread.
The Timberwolves have a 2-4 record against the spread in games they were an underdog by 7.5 points or more this year.
The two teams average a combined 7.1 more points per game, 231.6, than this matchup’s over/under of 224.5 points.
Opponents of the two teams average a combined 3.8 more points per game (228.3) than this matchup’s total of 224.5 points.
The average over/under the Nuggets have had in their games this season is 3.8 more points than this particular game’s point total.
The average total in Minnesota’s games this year is 7.1 more points than the point total of 224.5 for this outing.
Denver is 44-36-2 ATS this season.
The Timberwolves are 39-41-2 ATS this year.
Nuggets Stats & Insights
The Nuggets outscore opponents by 3.3 points per game (scoring 115.8 points per game to rank 12th in the league while allowing 112.5 per contest to rank eighth in the NBA) and have a +273 scoring differential overall.
The Nuggets grab 43 rebounds per game (18th in the league) while allowing 40.8 per outing to their opponents. They outrebound opponents by 2.2 boards per game.
Denver knocks down 11.8 three-pointers per game (18th in the league) compared to its opponents’ 11.4. It shoots 37.9% from deep while its opponents hit 34.4% from long range.
The Nuggets average 116.3 points per 100 possessions on offense (second in the league), and allow 112.9 points per 100 possessions (19th in the NBA).
In 2022-23, the Nuggets’ offense has been significantly better at home, where they average 119.4 points per game, compared to road games, where they score 112.2 per game. On the defensive side of the ball, they have been much tougher in home games, where they allow 109.6 points per game, versus playing on the road, where they let their opponents to average 115.3 per game.
Timberwolves Stats & Insights
The Timberwolves put up 115.8 points per game (12th in league) while giving up 115.8 per outing (18th in NBA). They have a -3 scoring differential.
Minnesota ranks 23rd in the league at 41.9 rebounds per game. That’s 2.8 fewer than the 44.7 its opponents average.
The Timberwolves connect on 12.2 three-pointers per game (13th in the league) at a 36.5% rate (13th in NBA), compared to the 12.3 their opponents make, shooting 36.9% from beyond the arc.
The Timberwolves rank 23rd in the league averaging 111.3 points per 100 possessions on offense, and defensively are 10th, allowing 111.1 points per 100 possessions.
At home Minnesota is scoring 115.9 points per game, 0.3 more than it is averaging on the road (115.6).
Nuggets Key Players to Watch
The Nuggets get 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists from Nikola Jokic.
The Nuggets get three three-pointers per game out of Michael Porter Jr..
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope averages 1.5 steals per game, while Aaron Gordon swats 0.8 shots per contest.
Timberwolves Key Players to Watch
Anthony Edwards racks up 24.6 points per game. He also adds 5.8 rebounds per outing and 4.4 assists per contest.
This season, Rudy Gobert is averaging 13.4 points, 1.2 assists and 11.6 rebounds per game.
Edwards knocks down 2.7 threes per game.
Edwards’ 1.6 steals and Gobert’s 1.4 blocks per game are key to the Timberwolves’ defensive production.
- Pick ATS: Timberwolves (+ 7.5)
- Pick OU:
Over (224.5)
- Prediction:
Nuggets 118 – Timberwolves 112
