The Denver Nuggets will battle the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night in a rematch of last year's Western Conference semifinals matchup. Denver is coming off a 144-139 overtime win at Brooklyn on Tuesday, while Minnesota dropped a 120-114 decision to Dallas that same night. The Nuggets (2-2), the 2022-23 NBA champions, were the second seed in the West last season at 57-25. The Timberwolves (2-2), who were the third seed in the West at 56-26 last year, have reached the postseason in each of the last three seasons.
Tip-off from Target Center in Minneapolis is set for 9:30 p.m. ET. The Nuggets lead the all-time regular-season series 89-56, but the teams have split the last two season series. Minnesota is a 4.5-point favorite in the latest Nuggets vs. Timberwolves odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 219.5. The Wolves are -184 favorites on the money line (risk $184 to win $100). Before making any Timberwolves vs. Nuggets picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions 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 betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 2 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 98-63 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning more than $2,900. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on Nuggets vs. Timberwolves and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for Timberwolves vs. Nuggets:
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves spread: Minnesota -4.5
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves over/under: 219.5 points
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves money line: Minnesota -184, Denver +153
- DEN: The Nuggets have hit the Under in 45 of their last 77 games (+10.95 units)
- MIN: The Timberwolves have hit the fourth-quarter Over in 55 of their last 96 games (+11.70 units)
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Nuggets vs. Timberwolves streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Timberwolves can cover
Shooting guard Anthony Edwards has been red hot to start the season. In four games, he is averaging 30 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 39.3 minutes. He is hitting 45.6% of his field goals, including 41.5% of his 3-pointers. He is coming off a 37-point, six-rebound and three-assist effort in the loss to Dallas. He had 32 points, seven rebounds and four assists in a 117-115 win at Sacramento on Oct. 24.
Power forward Julius Randle is one of three Minnesota players averaging in double-figure scoring. In four starts, he is averaging 23.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes. He scored a season-high 33 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists against Sacramento. Randle is coming off a 20-point, seven-rebound and seven-assist performance against Dallas. See which team to pick here.
Why the Nuggets can cover
Veteran center Nikola Jokic continues to power the Denver offense. He has two triple-doubles and one double-double on the year. In four starts, he is averaging 31.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals in 39 minutes of action. He is connecting on 57.3% of his field goals, including a blistering 55% from 3-point range, and 77.8% from the free throw line. He has scored 40 or more points twice, including 41 points in a 109-104 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
Point guard Jamal Murray is one of five Denver players averaging double-figure scoring. In four starts, he is averaging 18.8 points, five rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 38 minutes of play. He is connecting on 35% of his 3-pointers and 90% of his free throws. In the win over the Nets, he poured in 24 points, while grabbing three rebounds and adding three assists. See which team to pick here.
How to make Nuggets vs. Timberwolves picks
The model has simulated Nuggets vs. Timberwolves 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 216 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is on a 98-63 roll on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.