This matchup between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets could very well determine who will lock up the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. That’s everything one needs to know why this game is a must-watch this Wednesday. So, will Anthony Edwards and the T’wolves roll past Denver? Or, will the Nuggets return to the top spot in the conference with a win?
Catch this game live on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 10:00 AM, Manila time
Away: Minnesota Timberwolves (55-24, 26-14 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- Mike Conley
- Anthony Edwards
- Jaden McDaniels
- Naz Reid
- Rudy Gobert
The Timberwolves are howling on top of the Western Conference standings and they plan to howl from their way for the rest of the regular season. A win this Thursday can put them on the verge of securing the No. 1 seed in the West, and Anthony Edwards could be the man to deliver the goods for the Timberwolves in this high-profile meeting with Denver. Edwards just exploded for a career-high 51 points on Wednesday in a 130-121 win at home over the Washington Wizards.
Denver is familiar with the havoc that Edwards could bring, as the former No. 1 overall pick has averaged 26.3 points in the previous three meetings this season with the Nuggets. But Edwards is hardly the only one Denver should be worried about. There’s Minnesota’s defense that is ranked tops in the league with just 106.2 points allowed per game and limited the Nuggets to just 100.7 points on 43.4 FG% this season.
Home: Denver Nuggets (55-24, 32-8 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- Jamal Murray
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- Michael Porter Jr.
- Aaron Gordon (Questionable)
- Nikola Jokic
Denver is also on a roll, having won its last two games and four of its last five. The Nuggets used the Utah Jazz as practice target in Wednesday’s 111-95 win in Salt Lake City, with the 1-2 punch of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray playing well. Jokic scored 28 points on 12/20 shooting from the floor with 13 rebounds and seven assists. Murray also had 28 points on 11/20 shooting with four assists.
Jokic and Murray also combined for seven of Denver’s steals, showing that they can play some defense too. One thing to monitor over the side of the Nuggets is the availability of Aaron Gordon, who missed the Utah game with a right foot strain. If he can’t go again, former Kansas Jayhawks star Christian Braun, who had 11 points with three 3-pointers against Utah, could get another nod to start this Thursday. The Nuggets head to their fourth and final showdown this regular season versus Minnesota with a 6-4 record against the spread in their last 10 games as the home team.
Picks
Spread: Denver Nuggets (-6.0)
Over/Under: Under (212.5)
