The defending champions Denver Nuggets will meet the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs in a rematch of last year’s first-round series. The Nuggets come in as the veteran team looking to extend their championship window, while the Timberwolves are playing the role of the upstarts hoping to take advantage of their budding star Anthony Edwards. Here’s a look at the matchup and our predictions for the series, with all odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions
Odds to win series: Nuggets -205, Timberwolves +170
Regular season record: Nuggets 57-25, Timberwolves 56-26
Head-to-head record: Tied 2-2
With Edwards at the helm, the Timberwolves have taken a major step forward this season. Karl-Anthony Towns is back in the lineup, and Minnesota’s role players are versatile and fit well within the roster. Denver has championship experience and executes at a high level in clutch time but this is a potentially bad matchup for the Nuggets. The regular season series was balanced between the two sides, and that sets up an exciting encounter in the second round.
Pick: Nuggets in 7 games (+290)
The Nuggets defeated the Timberwolves in five games in the first round of the playoffs a year ago, but both sides are in a different place entering this matchup. The Nuggets were the No. 1 seed hungry for their first championship, while the Timberwolves had just come out of the play-in tournament hoping to get more experience. Edwards had a great series but Denver was more motivated and ultimately prevailed.
The roles are similar this time around but the Nuggets appear to be going through the motions a bit while the Timberwolves believe this is their time. Edwards is now fully into the superstar realm, and he almost singlehandedly dismantled the Suns in the first round. Minnesota has a deep bench with plenty of contributors, a weak spot for Denver this year. The play of both benches could go a long way in determining the outcome of this series.
Nikola Jokic has been playing like the league MVP and Michael Porter Jr. stepped up in the first round, but the Nuggets desperately need Jamal Murray to get it going in this round. Murray had some big moments in the clutch against the Lakers but his overall shooting numbers were terrible. When he’s on, he’s the best player on the floor and with Edwards playing the way he is for Minnesota, the Nuggets need someone to match that energy. As talented as Jokic is, Murray is that player for Denver.
The Timberwolves are motivated and have a deeper roster, which should scare Nuggets fans. Edwards appears to be on a mission, which gives me pause when making a prediction. However, I think the Nuggets have been so good in clutch moments to let this be what trips them up in the playoffs. Ultimately, I see Denver taking this at home in a thrilling seven-game series.