The Minnesota Timberwolves play host to the Denver Nuggets. They look to go 2-0 in the season series.

Catch the game tomorrow at 9:00 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Denver Nuggets (47-21 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

• Jamal Murray
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
• Michael Porter Jr.
• Aaron Gordon
• Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets had their five-game winning streak snapped on Monday in heartbreaking fashion. They fell to the Dallas Mavericks, 107-105, as Kyrie Irving hit a left-handed floater as time expired. Still, things are looking good as it was only their second loss in 11 games, where they are averaging 117.8 points per game and only giving up 107.6 on the other end.

The defending champs will have revenge on their minds tomorrow, not just because of Monday’s frustrating defeat, but also because they were dominated by the Timberwolves last November 2nd, 110-89. Nikola Jokic had 25 points and 10 assists, but he and Jamal Murray were the only Nuggets to score in double-digits, with Murray only going 5-of-16 from the field for 14 underwhelming points. 

Michael Porter Jr. was 2-of-11 for five points, while Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope combined for four field goals and 10 points. Simply put, they stunk and should eye a much better performance this Wednesday.

HOME: Minnesota Timberwolves (46-21 HOME)

Projected starting five:

• Mike Conley
• Anthony Edwards
• Jaden McDaniels
• Kyle Anderson
• Rudy Gobert

The Timberwolves enter as winners in five of their last seven games. They average 113.7 PPG and allow 108.8 across that stretch.

Though still without their premiere big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who’s healing from a knee injury, the T-Wolves will be getting extra confidence from the aforementioned win over the Nuggets. No one on the team had a mind-blowingly good game that day, and yet they cruised. In fact, Rudy Gobert was basically nonexistent on offense at 0-of-7 shooting. 

Anthony Edwards had an okay 24 points, and Naz Reid provided his usual energy from the second unit, chipping in 16 points in 19 minutes – with Towns out, Reid also has 20.5 PPG in his last five. Lastly, there’s floor general Mike Conley, who was efficient with 17 points and six dimes on 7-of-9 shooting.

Minnesota is still the number one-ranked defense in the NBA, both in points allowed per game and defensive rating.

PREDICTIONS:

Handicap: The Nuggets (-7) cover the spread. 

Over/Under: The total goes over 212.5