Timberwolves vs. Nuggets 2023 NBA Playoffs Odds and Game 2 Preview – April 19th

By Jeff Stinger • April 19, 2023

Minnesota Timberwolves stretch their postseason hopes with a Play-In Tournament victory over the Thunder. Losing the first Play-In game against the Lakers meant that the team is slated to line up versus Western Conference top seed, the Denver Nuggets.

The Wolves failed to survive the machine-like performance of the hosts and Game 1 by 29 points. Head coach Chris Finch and his crew need to turn things around if they want to avoid early elimination. The other end of the matchup sees a confident Denver squad looking to gain as much momentum as possible before flying to Minnesota for Game 3.

Nitrobetting is ready to dish out key assists and lob passes with betting tips and news coverage throughout the 2023 NBA Playoffs. This time, let’s break down the upcoming playoff showdown between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Game 2 2023 NBA Playoffs First-Round Information

When: Wednesday, April 19, 2023, 10:00 PM ET
Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
TV: TNT, ALT, BSN
Radio: 830 WCCO AM (Timberwolves) // Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM (Nuggets)
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
NBA Betting Odds: Timberwolves (+6) / Nuggets (-6)

Why Bet on the Minnesota Timberwolves?

The Nuggets overshadowed Minnesota in Game 1. The Wolves’ largest lead was only by a point, which was magnified by the end of 48 minutes. We’ve seen some erratic moments come from the visitors since getting past the Play-In Tournament. They shot only 37.0% from the field and 30.6% from deep. They also displayed poor free throw shooting figures and hit only nine of 16 from the line.

Rebounding also proved to be a challenge. No one expected this from a team with a sizable vertical advantage on the floor. By the end of the game, the Timberwolves were outrebounded 38 to 54. Rudy Gobert led his team with 13 total rebounds but picked up only two offensive rebounds. As for the scoring side, Anthony Edwards led his team with 18 points and shot six of 15 from the field. The latter’s numbers were underwhelming considering his status as the team’s primary scorer.

As a team, the Wolves should’ve done better on the offensive end. They average 115.2 points per game on a fourth-best 48.9% shooting. They also have an eighth-best league record of 53.8 points in the paint per game. As for defense, Minnesota ranks 18th in opponent points per game while keeping teams to 46.9% shooting and 52.9% from the two-point range.

Why Bet on the Denver Nuggets?

The Nuggets have been nothing short of incredible since reaching the playoffs. Game 1 was not an exception either. Denver was 45.6% from the field and 41% from deep by the end of the opening clash. They were average from the line at 64.7% but did keep traction on the rebounding side. The Nuggets recorded 16 more rebounds than the Wolves, including six more offensive rebounds. They were also more active in moving the ball with 24 assists by the end of regulation.

Jamal Murray led the scoreboard in Game 1. He scored 24 points on nine of 22 shooting. He also topped the team with eight assists in 33 minutes of play. Of course, Jokic played a crucial role on the defensive side of things. He recorded 14 rebounds and was responsible for a good chunk of the Nuggets’ 48 points in the paint that night. Additionally, the hosts were quicker in transition and scored 16 fast break points.

Overall, the Nuggets remain the better team on paper. They performed well under pressure and had a comfortable lead throughout the game. Since the start of the season, Denver has averaged 115.7 points per game on a league-best 50.4% shooting. They are just as efficient on the defensive side. The Nuggets hold opponents to 112.1 points per game on 47.6% shooting.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Betting Trends

The Timberwolves are 1-3 in the last four postseason games (2-2 ATS).
The Timberwolves won three of its last six meetings against the Nuggets (4-2 ATS).
The totals went over in three of the Wolves’ last five meetings versus the Nuggets.
The Nuggets are 2-3 in the last five postseason contests at Ball Arena (2-3 ATS).
The Nuggets are 2-2 in its last four playoff games versus the Timberwolves (4-0 ATS).
The totals went under in three of the Nuggets’ last five games.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Game 2 Expert Betting Predictions

It’s a no-brainer to back the Nuggets at this point. The spread is not much of a surprise to many, but there’s still a solid chance that the Wolves cover this one. The Nuggets coasted in Game 1 and warmed up to postseason basketball.

The Minnesota Timberwolves had to thread the needle to get to this point, gained experience in big games, and could get a bit of rhythm going in the coming days. The Timberwolves are still an interesting challenger to put in front of the bucks. A win needs every piece working to its limits, though. Ultimately, we hope for closer Timberwolves vs. Nuggets results on Wednesday night.

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This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2022-23 NBA season previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest basketball betting odds on our online BTC sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.