We are onto the Western Conference Semifinals and the first series tipping will be on Saturday evening. It will be a battle between two Northwest Division teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets. These two teams are all too familiar with each other but it will be an entertaining and exciting series! Below is my Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Series Preview and Predictions!
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Minnesota Timberwolves (3) vs. Denver Nuggets (2) Series Preview & Predictions
The Timberwolves and the Nuggets will play each other in the first Western Conference Semifinals Series. This series will be a game of adjustments because these two teams are divisional rivals and play each other at least four times a year.
The regular season series was split 2-2, while the Timberwolves were 3-1 ATS against the Nuggets. Further, the total split was 2-2 with an average final score of 214.5. Anthony Edwards was a man-possessed in the first-round matchup against the Phoenix Suns and will be a matchup nightmare for the Nuggets.
I believe the key in this series will be Rudy Gobert staying out of foul trouble and containing reigning NBA Finals MVP, Nikola Jokic. Jokic averaged 33.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game against the Timberwolves during the season. Furthermore, Jamal Murray averaged only 17.3 points per game and could be dealing with an injury.
The perimeter defense for the Timberwolves led by Jaden McDaniels will also be an area to keep an eye for if he is matched up on Murray. Additionally, the Denver Nuggets showed some chinks in the armor against the Lakers.
The Nuggets trailed by double-digits in four of the five games against the Lakers and I do not think that is something they can afford to do against the Timberwolves.
Now what will be the key for Denver Nuggets? Offensively, the Nuggets have more scoring options, and if Nikola Jokic continues his stellar play against the Timberwolves, it will be difficult for the Timberwolves.
Outside of Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves will need another player to consistently step up offensively. I believe this series has the potential to go the full seven games.
Series Best Bets: Series Total Games Over 5.5 and Timberwolves +2.5