Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals has the No. 2 seed Denver Nuggets traveling to play against the No. 3 seed Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. The Timberwolves have dominated thus far into this 2024 NBA playoffs series, as they own a 2-0 lead. This postseason, Minnesota is holding teams to 98.7 points per game, while Denver is putting up 103.1 points but failed to eclipse 100 points in the first two matchups. Jamal Murray (calf), Reggie Jackson (calf) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (abdominal) are all listed as questionable for Denver.
Tipoff is 9:30 p.m. ET at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Minnesota is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Timberwolves vs. Nuggets odds via SportsLine consensus. The over/under is 205. Before making any Nuggets vs. Timberwolves picks, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model entered the conference semifinals in the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 94-61 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following the model has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Timberwolves vs. Nuggets and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the NBA betting lines and trends for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves:
- Timberwolves vs. Nuggets spread: Minnesota -3.5
- Timberwolves vs. Nuggets over/under: 205 points
- Timberwolves vs. Nuggets money line: Minnesota -159, Denver +135
- MIN: 6-0 ATS in 2024 NBA playoffs
- DEN: 6-4 ATS this season as road underdog
- Timberwolves vs. Nuggets picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Timberwolves can cover
Guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has played major dividends in the first two games. Alexander-Walker has been playing suffocating defense, especially on Murray, making him work for any basket made. Offensively, Alexander-Walker has a smooth perimeter jumper on the outside. The Virginia Tech product is averaging 11.3 points, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals off the bench in the postseason. In his last outing, he had 14 points, six rebounds, and three blocks.
Center Naz Reid is another solid contributor as he finishes with both hands at the rim with the ability to stretch the floor. The LSU product is pesky defensively and plays with high energy. He's putting up 11.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and shooting 39.3% from beyond the arc in the 2024 NBA playoffs. In Game 2, Reid finished with 14 points, five rebounds, and four blocks while going 4-of-8 from downtown. See which team to pick here.
Why the Nuggets can cover
Center Nikola Jokic just snatched the third MVP award of his career. Jokic has an unbelievable court vision to get the ball to his teammates while utilizing superb basketball IQ. The 29-year-old has a great floater around the rim but uses brute strength to move defenders in the post. Jokic leads the team in points (27), rebounds (15) and assists (9.4). In Game 1, he had 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.
Forward Michael Porter Jr. has provided Denver with a talented scorer in the frontcourt. Porter Jr. owns a smooth jumper from beyond the arc and uses his length (6'10) to shoot right over the outstretched arms of defenders. The 25-year-old is averaging 20.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals in the 2024 NBA playoffs. In Game 1, Porter Jr. finished with 20 points, six boards and made four 3-pointers. See which team to pick here.
How to make Timberwolves vs. Nuggets picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 203 combined points. It has also generated an against-the-spread pick that cashes in almost 60% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, and which side of the spread cashes in almost 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Timberwolves vs. Nuggets spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has returned more than $2,800 on its NBA picks this season, and find out.
