The NBA Playoffs head to to the Twin Cities tonight as the Denver Nuggets (1-1) and Minnesota Timberwolves (1-1) look to gain the upper hand in their first-round Western Conference series. Tipoff for Game 3 is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET from the Target Center in Minneapolis, with the national broadcast airing on Amazon Prime Video.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves odds list the Timberwolves as -112 favorites on the moneyline and -1.5 to cover the spread. The game total is 231.5 (-115o / -105u). The Nuggets are -108 underdogs following news that Aaron Gordon is out.
Continue below for my Nuggets vs Timberwolves predictions — plus the latest Game 3 odds, betting trends, injury reports and viewing information.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves Predictions, Picks
- Nuggets vs Timberwolves pick: Timberwolves Moneyline (+110)
My Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 3 betting prediction is the Minnesota moneyline. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves Odds, Spread, Total
| Nuggets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -122 | 231.5 -115o / -105u | -108 |
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +102 | 231.5 -115o / -105u | -112 |
- Nuggets vs Timberwolves Moneyline: Nuggets -108, Timberwolves -112
- Nuggets vs Timberwolves Spread: Nuggets +1.5 (-122), Timberwolves -1.5 (+102)
- Nuggets vs Timberwolves Total: 231.5 (-115o/ -105u)
Nuggets vs Timberwolves Preview, Prediction
Nuggets Preview
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.
Timberwolves Preview
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 Predictions, Best Bets, Props
Moneyline: Timberwolves ML (+110)
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.
Player 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 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.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 3 Predictions
- Timberwolves Moneyline (+110)
- Over 233.5 (-112)
- Naz Reid Under 1.5 Three-Pointers Made (-104)
Nuggets vs Timberwolves Betting Trends
- 60% of bets and 52% of the money are on the Nuggets spread
- 75% of bets and 72% of the money are on the game total to go OVER
- 58% of bets and 52% of the money are on the Nuggets moneyline
Nuggets vs Timberwolves Viewing Info: Channel, Start Time, Streaming
| Location: | Target Center |
| Date: | Thursday, April 23 |
| Time: | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming Options: | Amazon Prime Video |
Nuggets vs Timberwolves Latest Injuries
Nuggets Injury Report
Aaron Gordon (OUT; left calf tightness)
Peyton Watson (OUT; right hamstring strain)
Timberwolves Injury Report
Anthony Edwards (questionable; right knee)
Jaylen Clark (OUT; illness)
Terrence Shannon Jr. (OUT; illness)
