Update: Mike Conley will suit up for the Timberwolves tonight after missing Game 5 with a soleus strain. The lines have not changed much, so we’ll stick with our picks.
The second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs will continue on Thursday and the only game on the slate will feature the Denver Nuggets visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves for Game 6 of their best-of-seven series. Tipoff for this Western Conference showdown is set for 8:30 p.m. ET and the game will air on ESPN.
After dropping the first two games of this series, Denver has taken complete control and last hammered Minnesota in a 112-97 blowout in Game 5 on Tuesday to go up 3-2. This matchup featured a masterclass from three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who delivered 40 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds for the defending champions as they put the Timberwolves on the brink of elimination. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards could only muster up 18 points on 33.3% shooting from the field in the loss.
Along with Jokic’s performances, the Nuggets have been able to storm back in this series simply by flipping the script from the field. They’ve shot over 53% while holding the Wolves to under 49% in each of their three victories, which is the exact opposite of how the first two games of this series went. To go along with that, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert have been neutralized on the offensive end of the floor as neither have cracked 25 points since Game 2.
On the injury front, Jamal Murray (calf) is listed as questionable for the Nuggets while Mike Conley (soleus) is questionable for the Timberwolves.
Minnesota enters the game as a 2-point favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook, accompanied by a total of 205. The Timberwolves are listed as a -130 moneyline favorite, making the Nuggets a +110 underdog.
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, 8:30 p.m. ET
Pick ATS: Nuggets +2
Minnesota, this is your stop. You put up a valiant fight for the first two games and made the defending champions bleed on their home floor. But they are the defending champions for a reason and once Jokic, Murray, Aaron Gordon and company get into a groove, it is difficult to stop. Edwards will do everything in his power to keep this series alive, but I think the Nuggets close this series out on the road and moves on to the Western Conference Finals.
Over/Under: Over 205
There has only been one game in this entire series where both teams have cracked 100 points. However, facing elimination at home, I think the Wolves will touch 50% shooting and put up a better offensive performance out of sheer desperation. Give me the over for this one.