Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Picks and Predictions November 1st 2024

Timberwolves vs Nuggets November 1st 2024

At 9:30 ET, the Minnesota Timberwolves (-183) will host the Denver Nuggets (+153) in a Western Northwest division matchup. The Timberwolves are favored by 4 points, and the over/under line is currently set at 219.5.

This game will be played at the Target Center in Minneapolis and can be seen on ESPN.

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Key Information

The Nuggets evened their record at 2-2 with a 144-139 win over the Nets on Tuesday. Denver, favored by 5.5 points, got the win but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total of 283 points soared past the O/U line of 218.

Denver fell behind early, trailing 40-27 after the 1st quarter. They chipped away at the lead, outscoring Brooklyn 36-32 in the 2nd and 33-27 in the 3rd. Heading into the 4th quarter down 99-96, the Nuggets finished strong, winning the final period 29-26.

The Nuggets put up 144 points in their win over the Nets, shooting 51.7% from the field and hitting 13 threes at a 48.1% clip. Nikola Jokic led the way with 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists, shooting 56.2% from the floor.

Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray each added 24 points, with Gordon shooting 72.7%. Murray struggled from deep, hitting just 28.6%, but contributed 4 points in overtime.

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Despite a rough start defensively, giving up 40 points in the 1st quarter, the Nuggets tightened up as the game went on, allowing 32 in the 2nd, 27 in the 3rd, and 26 in the 4th. Denver still gave up 139 points to the Nets, who shot 51% from the field.

The Nuggets also struggled to defend the three, allowing 20 made threes on 38% shooting. Brooklyn went to the line 27 times, making 21 free throws. Denver finished with 34 defensive rebounds, giving up 7 offensive boards, and added 3 steals and 4 blocks.

The Timberwolves fell to 2-2 on the season after a 120-114 loss to the Mavericks on Tuesday. Minnesota, favored by 4 points, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread. The combined score of 234 points exceeded the O/U line of 220 by 14 points.

After a strong start, leading 34-26 after the 1st quarter, the Timberwolves went on a 10-0 run to take a 70-61 lead. However, they were outscored 67-48 over the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Despite a late push in the 4th, where they outscored Dallas 32-27, Minnesota couldn’t complete the comeback.

The Nuggets put up 144 points in their win over the Nets, shooting 51.7% from the field and hitting 13 threes at a 48.1% clip. Nikola Jokic led the way with 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists, shooting 56.2% from the floor.

Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray each added 24 points, with Gordon shooting 72.7%. Murray struggled from deep, hitting just 28.6% of his threes, while Jokic and Gordon each contributed 4 points in overtime.

Defensively, the Timberwolves had a tough 2nd quarter, giving up 35 points, and they allowed 120 points overall in their loss to the Mavericks. Minnesota’s defense struggled to contain Dallas from beyond the arc, where they hit 16 threes at a 41% clip.

The Timberwolves sent the Mavericks to the free-throw line 18 times, where they made 14. Minnesota recorded 31 defensive rebounds but allowed 12 offensive boards. They also finished with 5 steals and 2 blocks.

When looking to get a point-spread pick down in this Nuggets vs. Timberwolves game, our recommendation is to take the Nuggets at +4. Despite our model showing the Timberwolves winning 131-129, we like Nuggets as our point-spread pick.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 219.5 and given that our model is projecting 260 points between the teams, we like the over.

Nuggets and Timberwolves Face Off in First Meeting Since Playoff Battle

The Denver Nuggets are set to meet the Minnesota Timberwolves for the first time since their intense Western Conference semifinal clash last season. After back-to-back overtime victories on the road, Denver now faces Minnesota in Minneapolis on Friday night, a game sure to reignite the competition between these Western powerhouses.

Nuggets’ Road to the Matchup: High-Energy Wins and Rising Stars

Denver enters the game fresh off a two-day break following their consecutive overtime wins. The Nuggets managed a nail-biting 127-125 win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday and followed up with a 144-139 overtime victory against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.

Head coach Michael Malone praised the team’s resilience, saying, “There’s still a lot we can clean up, but I’m proud of our guys for finding a way in back-to-back nights. Staying together, staying with it, and finding a way to get a win in overtime.”

Leading the charge for Denver has been Nikola Jokic, already posting MVP-caliber numbers with a triple-double average of 31.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.3 assists through the first four games. Jokic’s outstanding play has continued to impress, with his latest 29-point, 18-rebound, and 16-assist performance against Brooklyn showcasing his all-around impact.

“What more can you say about Nikola Jokic? He makes it look easy,” Malone said of Jokic’s phenomenal play.

Alongside Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon have stepped up, averaging 18.8 and 15.5 points, respectively. With veteran Russell Westbrook joining the team in the offseason to provide leadership, the Nuggets look ready to push forward in a fiercely competitive Western Conference.

Timberwolves: Building on Last Season and Looking for Redemption

Friday’s game against Denver comes with added motivation for Minnesota, as it brings a chance to prove themselves after last season’s playoff series that ended in a seven-game showdown. Although the Timberwolves came out on top in that series, their season fell short of the ultimate goal.

Minnesota’s roster has also seen key changes. They traded longtime fan favorite Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks, bringing in Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. These additions are expected to strengthen Minnesota’s lineup, with Randle already making an impact by averaging 23.3 points and 7.5 rebounds.

Anthony Edwards, however, remains the primary scoring option and has shown noticeable growth this season. Averaging 30 points along with 6.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists, Edwards’ shooting from beyond the arc has improved to 41.5 percent, a significant jump from his 35.7 percent average last season.

Reflecting on their recent 120-114 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Edwards emphasized the importance of defensive intensity, saying, “Transition defense and rebounding, and we’ll be OK. I feel like we can beat anybody if we get back in transition and I rebound.”

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With contributions from Rudy Gobert, who is close to averaging a double-double with 9.5 points and 11.3 rebounds, and Naz Reid, posting 13.8 points and 7.5 rebounds, the Timberwolves aim to get back on track defensively and keep up with Denver’s fast-paced offense.

Keys to the Game: Defense, Team Chemistry, and Star Power

This game will likely hinge on defense and transition play. Denver has proven it can perform under pressure, having triumphed in back-to-back overtime games, while Minnesota is looking to fine-tune its defensive strategy to counter Denver’s dynamic attack. The Nuggets will rely heavily on Jokic’s playmaking ability and the scoring depth provided by Murray and Gordon, while the Timberwolves will need strong performances from Edwards and Randle to match Denver’s firepower.

Both teams are in the early stages of integrating new faces and building on last season’s successes. With a playoff atmosphere already surrounding the matchup, this early-season clash offers fans a glimpse of what could be another thrilling postseason showdown between these Western Conference contenders.