Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Predictions, Picks & Odds: Will Game 2 in Denver be More Competitive?

The Denver Nuggets cruised past the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1, but oddsmakers aren’t expecting Wednesday’s Game 2 to be much more competitive. Read on for our Timberwolves vs. Nuggets prediction based on the best NBA odds.

It ended up being a good thing that Game 1 of this opening-round series was slated for late Sunday night. Nobody really watched the Denver Nuggets crush the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 109-80 victory to begin the playoffs.

Will Game 2 be any different? Sports betting sites are favoring the Nuggets’ chances, listing them as three-possession favorites. 

Here is our best Timberwolves vs. Nuggets prediction (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets prediction

Anthony Edwards Over 2.5 steals + blocks (+120 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐

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If you like offense, this could be the game for you. Sportsbook Review’s Jon Metler shared four different Overs on the offensive side in this game in Wednesday’s NBA best bets column, which included a pair of picks featuring Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. Jokic is also heavily featured in our best NBA parlays today.

I’m choosing to focus on the defensive side, as I have a soft spot for players who bring it on that end of the floor. In this case, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has quietly been locked in defensively over the last couple of weeks.

Edwards has cleared this combo prop of 2.5 steals and blocks in three of his last four games, including Game 1 when he finished with two steals and one block. Over that span, Edwards has recorded a total of 16 steals and blocks.

In fact, Edwards cashed this Over in five of his last six outings with an average of 3.8 steals/blocks during that stretch. In his young playoff career, Edwards has cleared this mark in four of seven games.

Simply put, I like the idea of getting a plus-money price on a young superstar with something to prove. Edwards hasn’t been as effective offensively of late, but that clearly hasn’t taken away from his effort on the defensive end.

This game could be uptempo, and assuming it isn’t another blowout, there should be plenty of opportunities for Edwards to make a defensive impact. We would play this three-star pick at anything +115 or better based on our projections, especially given the defensive run Edwards is on right now.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets best odds

DraftKings (+120)

Only three of our best NBA betting sites have a prop market of steals and blocks for Edwards, though all three have this line set at 2.5. DraftKings offers the best value with a price of +120 on the Over.

At +120, there is an implied probability of 45.45% that Edwards clears this mark. He has done so in three of his last four games but it is important to remember that this bet should lose more often than it wins.

If you prefer to zero in on the steals market instead, Edwards’ prop has been set at 1.5 steals across our best sportsbooks. DraftKings and BetMGM offer the best price on that particular Over at +110.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets odds

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets odds analysis

The spread hasn’t really moved, with Denver still trading as an 8.5-point favorite since the opening lines were released. The total is down to 222 after opening at 223.5 earlier this week.

For context, Minnesota was an 8-point underdog in Game 1 and the total finished well Under its mark of 225.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets game info

• Date: Wednesday, April 19, 10 p.m ET
• TV: TNT
• Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO

Timberwolves-Nuggets pick made 04/19/2023 at 4:05 p.m. ET.

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