Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets 4/1/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Matchup Preview (4/1/22)

The 7th seed Minnesota Timberwolves travel to battle the 5th seed Denver Nuggets Friday night. The Timberwolves are three games back of the Nuggets and would love to avoid the play-in by moving up in the standings. They lost four of their past five games, but the Timberwolves still ended March with a productive 10-5 record. Over that 15-game span, Minnesota had the 6th Offensive Rating and 5th Defensive Rating. The Timberwolves are coming off a brutal 125-102 loss to the Toronto Raptors. They were up 10 points after the 1st quarter, but Toronto then outscored them by 33 points throughout the rest of the contest. Anthony Edwards played well with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on 10/17 from the field. Karl-Anthony Towns had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, yet the Timberwolves need more from him to win games. D’Angelo Russell turned in a forgettable performance of 13 points on 3/15 from the field and 1/7 from three. Against the Nuggets, the Timberwolves will be without Jaden McDaniels (9.4 PPG). Malik Beasley (12.1 PPG) has been upgraded to questionable; if he can play, the Timberwolves would see an increase in bench scoring. 

The Nuggets finished March with a 10-6 record through the 8th Offensive Rating and 22nd Defensive Rating. The 3rd seed is still in their grasp; they are 2.5 games back of the Mavericks and Warriors with 5 games to catch them. The Nuggets just beat the Pacers 125-118, but they almost squandered a massive lead. They were up 43-15 at the end of the 1st quarter, yet they were tied with the Pacers entering the 4th quarter. The Nuggets held on to win, so they can move past that without dwelling on it. Nikola Jokic just missed a triple-double with 37 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists. Will Barton scored 18 points, while “Bones” Hyland dropped 20 points and 7 assists off the bench. Tyrese Haliburton produced a double-double, and Buddy Hield splashed 5 threes, but the Pacers couldn’t complete the comeback. JaMychal Green is questionable to play against the Timberwolves, while Zeke Nnaji is out. If Green cannot play, the Nuggets will lose frontcourt depth.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Betting Odds

The Timberwolves are 2-1 against the Nuggets this season with Minnesota winning the last matchup 130-115 on February 1st. For the season series, Jokic is averaging 24.6 PPG, 15 RPG, and 8.6 APG. Meanwhile, Towns is averaging 23.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 4.6 APG. Jokic has gotten the better of Towns, but Jokic has had less help to win games. In this final regular season matchup, I like the Timberwolves to narrowly squeak out a win. Jokic is clearly the best player in this matchup, but the Timberwolves have the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th best player. The benches are equal because of injury, and I give the edge to the Timberwolves’ starting lineup. Both teams can score, but Minnesota has a higher ceiling both offensively and defensively. They had a run in early March where they looked invincible, and I haven’t had that feeling from the Nuggets all season. Denver is favored, but I like Minnesota to go on the road and take down the Nuggets.

TV Schedule

Date: 4/1/22
Time: 9:00 PM ET
Arena: Ball Arena – Denver, CO
Channel: NBA League Pass

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Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Lineup

PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Patrick Beverley
SF: Anthony Edwards
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
C: Karl-Anthony Towns

Minnesota Timberwolves Analysis

The battle between Karl-Anthony Towns and Nikola Jokic is the obvious duel in this game. Towns is a consistent player who is almost always good for 20+ points and 9+ rebounds. The Timberwolves always have a decent floor with Towns this season, but it is D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards who create a high ceiling. Minnesota is 18-7 (.720) this season when Russell scores 20+ points. If that record was extended across the entire season, Minnesota would be 59-23 and 2nd in the West. Russell has severely regressed in March, averaging 13.1 PPG and 7.6 APG on a terrible 36/27/85 shooting split. He only hit 20 points once in March, and that was a 129-114 win over the Golden State Warriors. The Nuggets are 30th in Isolation defense, and Russell averages 1.03 Points Per Possession on Isolation plays, good for 81st percentile in the NBA. That success is on decent volume too, so Russell will have the chance to stuff the box score against the Nuggets. 

Anthony Edwards is one of the most volatile starters in the NBA; he can drop 28 points one game and then 5 the next one. Edwards is a terror in transition, and the Nuggets are 17th in transition defense. Jeff Green will guard Edwards, and he is not the defender he used to be. Edwards can shake him in the pick and roll and drive to the hoop. Towns has excellent range, so Jokic cannot anchor himself in the paint and protect the rim. This should help clear the paint for Edwards to attack the rim.

Denver Nuggets Starting Lineup

PG: Monte Morris
SG: Will Barton
SF: Jeff Green
PF: Aaron Gordon
C: Nikola Jokic

Denver Nuggets Analysis

Everything the Nuggets do extends from Jokic. He can create his own shot in the paint while finding the open man through an absurd pass. At 26.5 PPG, 13.6 RPG, and 8.0 APG, the Nuggets can count on getting massive production from him. The other starters need to step up and give Jokic the help he needs. Aaron Gordon has averaged 17.3 PPG and 7.0 RPG in his last 7 games, but he will have a tough matchup here. Jarred Vanderbilt is a rangy 6’9” forward who can stick to Gordon. Vanderbilt is holding spot up shooters to a measly 32 FG%, which is where Gordon produces his points in their half-court offense. The Nuggets must get production from him in order to ease the enormous burden Jokic carries. 

Will Barton has been the 2nd best player for the Nuggets all season at 14.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 3.9 APG on a 43/36/79 shooting split. Unfortunately for him, he will be hounded all night by defensive specialist Patrick Beverley. Beverley is holding spot up shooters to a 31 FG% and constantly disrupts the pick and roll. Barton and Gordon both perform well in transition, and they must continue that against this surprisingly stingy Timberwolves half-court defense.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Daily Fantasy Picks

I like Jokic, Towns, and Russell here. Jokic is a dream for fantasy since he is a walking triple-double who shoots close to a 60 FG%. He’s a lock for every game he plays, so there is not much explanation needed for that pick. Towns is also an excellent fantasy option since he is a double-double threat who gets a few assists. Towns has played below his standards against the Nuggets this season, but he will put up the best numbers for the Timberwolves. My final pick is Russell because of his matchup. He’s been in a slump, yet he can break out of it against this somewhat suspect Nuggets defense. If his shot doesn’t fall, he can at least fall back on high assists numbers.