This Nuggets and Timberwolves matchup, like all of their matchups in the last calendar year, carries a lot of weight.
The Wolves pulled off a surprise upset of the defending champions in seven games, fueled by the Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert pairing gelling at the highest level. Minnesota’s cowardice-fueled trade of Towns took them down several pegs in the Western Conference this year. Despite that, the Timberwolves still have Denver’s number and have won all three matchups this season.
As a possible first round matchup in the coming playoffs, Minnesota wants to continue proving its own-age over the Nuggets, while Denver needs a boost of confidence against this team. It should be one heck of a tilt.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, Denver is a -3.5 home favorite for this matchup. Let’s dig into some of the better player props for this high-stakes affair.
Best Timberwolves Prop Bets
Nickeil Alexander-Walker 12+ Points (+150)
A key factor in this game is the absence of Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid. The pair have been suspended due to their role in the kerfuffle that broke out against the Pistons. A lot of Minnesota’s bench scoring punch comes from those two, and it leaves a void.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is always looking to fill an offensive void. He has no hesitance to shoot threes and drive to the paint. Against Denver’s below-average defense and with little bench scoring juice for Minnesota, I think Alexander-Walker has a bit more on his plate tonight.
Anthony Edwards 5+ Threes Made (+180)
In the previous three matchups with Denver, Anthony Edwards has splashed a total of 15 threes. His emergence as a high-volume elite shooter from deep has been a revelation this year. I also think that Christian Braun presents a decent matchup for Edwards, which only furthers this.
If Braun contains the drives and rotators like Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson discourage the paint touches, Edwards will take his threes. And that’s dangerous for Denver if he gets hot, which I expect him to.
Best Nuggets Prop Bets
Nikola Jokic 11+ Assists (+140)
Despite the presence of Gobert, everything flows through Jokic, especially against these Wolves teams.
He’s posted astronomical usage rates in his games against Minnesota, and tonight will be no different with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. ruled out. They’ll send plenty of bodies at the three-time MVP, which opens the passing lanes for the role players, especially Gordon. Expect the Joker to rack up the apples tonight.
Christian Braun 18+ Points (+165)
It’s been a great stretch for Braun, one of the breakout players of the season. With two of his starting lineup cohorts out, someone will have to capitalize on the shots Jokic creates.
He’s scored 18, 19 and 16 over his past three games and will only see more touches tonight. Look for the promising young wing to get his, in what should be a gritty offensive effort from the Nuggets.
