The Minnesota Timberwolves look to stave off elimination when they take on the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of their 2023 NBA playoff first-round series on Tuesday. The Nuggets (53-29), the top seed in the West, lead the series 3-1 and will look to advance to the second round for the fourth time in five seasons. Minnesota (42-40), No. 8 in the West, has not advanced past the first round since 2004. The teams split four regular-season games, with each winning a pair of games on their home court. Kyle Anderson (eye), Jaden McDaniels (hand) and Naz Reid (wrist) are all out for Minnesota.
The game from Ball Arena in Denver will begin at 9 p.m. ET. The Nuggets had the eighth-best defense entering the playoffs, allowing 112.5 points per game, while the Timberwolves were 18th, allowing 115.8. The Nuggets are 10-point favorites in the latest Timberwolves vs. Nuggets odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 220.5. Before making any Nuggets vs. Timberwolves picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model entered the third week of the 2023 NBA playoffs a stunning 71-38 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,800. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Nuggets vs. T’Wolves and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for T’Wolves vs. Nuggets:
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves spread: Nuggets -10
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves over/under: 220.5 points
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves money line: Timberwolves +400, Nuggets -550
- MIN: The Timberwolves are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game
- DEN: The Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following an ATS loss
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves picks: See picks at SportsLine
Featured Game | Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Why the Nuggets can cover
Center Nikola Jokic registered a playoff career-high-tying 43 points on 15 of 26 shooting, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range, in Game 4. He added 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals in 39 minutes for his 35th career playoff double-double. Jokic has played in 50 career postseason games, sixth most all-time in a Nuggets uniform, and holds career averages of 26.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 36.7 minutes. He became the first player in league history to average at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists through his first 50 playoff games.
Small forward Michael Porter Jr. is one of six Denver players averaging double-figure scoring this postseason. He posted a double-double in Game 1 with 18 points and 11 rebounds, and he scored 25 points and grabbed nine boards in Game 3. In four playoff games, he is averaging 18.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 35.3 minutes. In 62 regular-season games, Porter averaged 17.4 points and 5.5 rebounds. See which side to back at SportsLine.
Why the Timberwolves can cover
Center Rudy Gobert is one of four Minnesota players averaging double-figure scoring this postseason. In the four games, he is averaging 14.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, two assists and 1.3 blocks in 34 minutes. In the Game 4 win over the Nuggets, he scored 14 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, while blocking two shots. In 70 regular-season games, Gobert averaged a double-double with 13.4 points and 11.6 rebounds in 30.7 minutes of action.
Point guard Mike Conley is coming off a 19-point, eight-assist performance in Sunday’s win over Denver. He has reached double-figure scoring in three of the four postseason games. In 67 regular-season games split between Memphis and Minnesota, Conley averaged 11.9 points, 6.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds. He started all 24 games he played for the Timberwolves after being acquired before the trade deadline, averaging 14 points, five assists and 3.1 rebounds. See which side to back at SportsLine.
How to make Timberwolves vs. Nuggets picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 226 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in nearly 70% of simulations. You can see the model’s picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Nuggets vs. Timberwolves? And which side of the spread hits nearly 70% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is 71-38 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
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