Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (1/18/23)

The Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Denver Nuggets in a Western Conference battle. The Timberwolves are coming off a very close loss to the Jazz at home, while the Nuggets are coming off a close home win against the Magic. This should be an interesting matchup for the Western Conference race. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Betting Odds

The Denver Nuggets are an 8-point home favorite against the Minnesota Timberwolves and are at -345 on the money line. There’s also no over/under just yet. The Nuggets being this much of a favorite makes sense because they’ve been one of the best teams in the entire NBA. The over/under should also be listed very high when it is listed because both of these teams are very good on the offensive side.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Prediction

The pick: Denver Nuggets -8

The Nuggets are arguably the best team in the NBA so far. They’re tied for the best record in the Western Conference. Nikola Jokic is their do-it-all player this year once again. He leads the team in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals. He’s almost averaging a triple-double too. Jamal Murray has been very good this year too after coming back from injury. He’s questionable to play in this game, but has been a perfect robin to Jokic’s Batman. Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. have been very good off the wing and down low too and are next in scoring production. Aaron Gordon also leads the team in blocks per game.

As a team, the Nuggets are great across the board, but specifically excel on the offensive side of the court. They’re top-10 in scoring at 117, first in field goal percentage at 50.9%, and 4th in point differential at +3.9.

On the other side, the Minnesota Timberwolves have underperformed so far this year. Anthony Edwards is the alpha for Minnesota and leads the team in scoring and steals per game. Karl-Anthony Towns is after him in scoring, but won’t be playing in this game. D’Angelo Russell has been very good at point guard and is next in line for scoring, while also leading the team in assists per game. Rudy Gobert has been a nice addition down low and he leads in rebounds and blocks per game, but he’s questionable to play in this game too. Expect more from Jaylen Nowell and Jaden McDaniels too.

As a team, the Timberwolves have excelled on offense and are 3rd in the NBA in field goal percentage at 49%, while also being top-10 in rebounding.

There’s not much to like about the Timberwolves in this spot because they aren’t very healthy. The Nuggets are a more complete team, even if Murray doesn’t play. Take the Nuggets here because they’re the home team and have more to like than the Timberwolves here.

Betting Trends

Timberwolves are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

Nuggets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games.

Key Matchups

Can Rudy Gobert matchup with Nikola Jokic? Can Kentavious Caldwell-Pope matchup with Anthony Edwards?

Nikola Jokic vs. Rudy Gobert

Nikola Jokic is vying for another MVP yet again this year. He averages 25 points, 10 assists, and 11 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up with Rudy Gobert most of the time who averages 12 points, 1 assist, and 10 rebounds per game for the season. Jokic is the better player on offense and Gobert is the better defender. This matchup will be huge in determining who wins because of how much each player does for their teams.

Anthony Edwards vs. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Anthony Edwards has been great for Minnesota this year. He averages 24 points, 4 assists, and 7 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who averages 12 points, 2 assists, and 3 rebounds per game for the season. Edwards has emerged as the best player available for Minnesota, so Caldwell-Pope has his night cut out for him. This will be a big matchup because of how much Anthony Edwards does for Minnesota.

Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Lineup

PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Anthony Edwards
SF: Kyle Anderson
PF: Jaden McDaniels
C: Rudy Gobert

Denver Nuggets Starting Lineups

PG: Jamal Murray
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF: Michael Porter Jr.
PF: Aaron Gordon
C: Nikola Jokic

Key Injuries

Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries: C Karl-Anthony Towns (Calf) O, PG Jordan McLaughlin (Calf) O

Denver Nuggets Injuries: PG Jamal Murray (Ankle) Q, PG Bones Hyland (Ankle) Q