Congratulations to the Denver Nuggets for winning back-to-back games on the road against two teams clearly tanking — yet failing to cover against either.
My Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions will be simply doubting the team yet to exceed expectations with a clear reason why.
Any NBA picks siding with Denver do not quite recognize that lineup’s growing flaws. The tip comes at 9:30 ET on Friday, November 1, with ESPN broadcasting live from the Target Center.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves prediction
My best bet
Timberwolves -4 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
Much of that introduction’s criticism could also be levied at the Minnesota Timberwolves.
They've gone just 1-3 against the spread — covering only at Sacramento — but Minnesota has fallen short of expectation by 4.1 points per game this season, compared to an average of 9.1 points for the Denver Nuggets.
This is not altogether shocking from the Nuggets. While they may still enjoy the best player in the world, the rest of their roster continues to downgrade.
Losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to free agency may not have inspired many headlines, but he was an ideal defensive and shooting wing to put around Nikola Jokic.
Denver could not replace that amid current roster construction restrictions. Offense intended to Russell Westbrook. Meanwhile, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are constant injury worries, Murray in particular not looking spry to start this season.
The Timberwolves front office may have spotted this spiral coming before just about anyone else, taking a roster that was once specifically built to beat the Nuggets and altering it just before preseason practices in order to be better built to beat the Thunder and/or the Celtics. Minnesota no longer fears Denver.
Should it? Not yet. Certainly not yet.
The Nuggets may be on a two-game winning streak, but those wins came against teams already trying to lose. And still, Denver fell short of covering the spread. The Wolves need a win after dropping a winnable game against developing-rival Dallas on Tuesday, and that frustration will be at the Nuggets’ expense tonight.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
Timberwolves -4
Nikola Jokic Over 26.5 points
Nikola Jokic Over 11.5 rebounds
In reshaping their roster, the Timberwolves traded away their best defensive option to slow Nikola Jokic. Anyone who actually watched the playoffs the last two years noticed that only one player slowed down Jokic: Karl-Anthony Towns.
Rudy Gobert deserves his four Defensive Player of the Year awards, but Joker is a terrible matchup for the Frenchman. Simply enough, Jokic is too physical and comfortable in close quarters for Gobert’s frame to fold in and out of challenging shots.
Expect the Nuggets' center to enjoy a productive night at Gobert’s expense, something Minnesota pretty clearly decided was not a postseason worry anymore.
Realizing Timberwolves President Tim Connelly built the Denver roster, his coming to that conclusion during the offseason should be the loudest signal of needed existential angst on the Nuggets’ bench.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Nuggets vs Timberwolves odds
Nuggets vs Timberwolves live odds
Nuggets vs Timberwolves opening odds
- Spread: Denver +3.5 | Minnesota -3.5
- Moneyline: Denver +140 | Minnesota -165
- Over/Under: Over 218.5 | Under 218.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Nuggets vs Timberwolves spread and Over/Under analysis
- Late on Thursday, this spread opened with Denver a 3.5-point underdog, rising as high as +4.5 overnight before settling at most books at +4 on Friday morning.
- This total opened as low as 218.5 before climbing to 220.5 yet on Thursday.
- Come Friday morning, the total fell again to 218.5 before rallying at some books to 219.5.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves trend
The Denver Nuggets are 0-4 ATS to start the year. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Nuggets vs Timberwolves
| Location: | Target Center, Minneapolis, MN |
| Date: | Friday, 11-1-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Nuggets vs Timberwolves latest injuries
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