On Tuesday, 4/1, the Denver Nuggets (47-28) will host the Minnesota Timberwolves (43-32) in a Western Conference match. The Nuggets have a loose grip on the third position in the West, whereas the Timberwolves are fighting hard but are still stationed at the 7th spot. Will the Nuggets be able to fend off the Wolves in the 2024 WCSF rematch and get their first win against them this season? Read through the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
Nuggets: Had a lukewarm March
The Denver Nuggets will enter the match after a thumping 36-point triumph against the struggling Utah Jazz, as Nikola Jokic had 27 points. It was their second straight win, but the team had a rather underwhelming 8-7 record in March. The lack of wins during the month has hurt their chances to seize the second spot in the conference, but they still have a shot at it.
Their defense isn’t always switched on, as they regularly conceded 120+ against even an average offensive team last month. This problem has haunted them throughout the season. The team regularly misses open assignments and shows a palpable lack of effort at the tail end of games. Offesnviely, they generated around 120 points in many games, but they must hustle hard to stand a chance in the playoffs.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Jamal Murray | SG: Christian Braun | SF: Michael Porter Jr. | PF: Aaron Gordon | C: Nikola Jokic
Key Injuries/Updates: Julian Strawther can be OUT till the end of the Regular Season.
Timberwolves: Looking ready for postseason
The Minnesota Timberwolves will enter the match after a 19-point win against the Detroit Pistons, who were missing their ace Cade Cunningham. Julius Randle scored 26 while Rudy Gobert had a 25-rebound effort to upgrade the Wolves’ chances of playing in the top-six rankings of the West. Their remaining schedule amplifies their odds as they will play struggling teams after this match.
Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo have finally started to click with the current setup after struggling in the first half of the season. Anthony Edwards has become flexible, assuming different roles at different junctures, while his long-range shooting has been a huge difference-maker. Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels are X-factors in the frontline. Mike Conley’s play has declined significantly, while 4x DOPY Rudy Gobert is slowly falling out of his prime but remains a huge factor.
Expected Starting Lineup
SG: Mike Conley | SG: Anthony Edwards | SF/PF: Jaden McDaniels | PF: Julius Randle | C: Rudy Gobert
Key Injuries/Updates: Nothing significant to report.
The Timberwolves have upgraded their offense since January, and they don’t shy away from hitting the 120-mark. Meanwhile, their defense remains top-notch, and they can often restrict teams under 110. However, the Nuggets’ offense is loaded and rarely gets held under 110 or so, thus, it seems unlikely here. Overall, I see both the teams crossing the 115 mark here and coming close to 120.
Nikola Jokic over 30.5 points: The Nuggets center put up 30 points per game in March, which is on par with his season average. I believe the all-around center will figure in the 31-35 range here.
Michael Porter Jr over 3.5 triples: The Nuggets sharpshooter struggled from deep in March, making 2.2 triples per game on just 34% shooting. However, he turned it around with 6 and 4 triples in the last two games, respectively. I believe he will repeat such heroics.
Anthony Edwards over 29.5 points: The Timberwolves guard averaged 26.6 PPG in March, his lowest output since December. He has scored 30.7 PPG in three games against Denver this season. I expect him to continue the trend here.
Julius Randle to score over 21.5 points: The Timberwolves’ power forward put up 18.6 PPG in March. He has accumulated 23 PPG against the Nuggets here and will get around the same range here.
The Nuggets need to get their defensive act together, especially against a Wolves team that has figured out its offensive system. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have often given some brilliant sparks but fade away every now and then. However, they will be confident as they have a 3-0 advantage over the Wolves this season and also beat them in 7 games during the 2024 playoffs. At any rate, I believe the Nuggets will avoid a season sweep, and Jokic will fend off the pesky Wolves.
Safe Spread Pick: Nuggets -3.5 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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