Timberwolves vs Nuggets Game 1 Odds, Picks & Same-Game Parlay
By George Nassios in NBA Basketball
Updated: April 19, 2023 at 7:44 am EDTPublished:
- It’s 8 vs 1 when the Timberwolves play the Nuggets in Game 1 of their series on Sunday, April 16th
- The Nuggets are 7.5-point home favorites against Minnesota who beat them twice this season
- Check out all the Timberwolves vs Nuggets odds below, as well as our best bet and prediction
The final first round series to to tip off is between the Timberwolves (43-41, 20-22 away) and Nuggets (53-29, 34-7 home) who get things going at 10:30 pm ET on Sunday, April 16th from Ball Arena.
With one of the top contenders in the NBA MVP odds, Nikola Jokic, missing several games down the stretch, the Nuggets limped to the finish line in the regular season, losing five of their last seven contests.
It will be a full week off between games for Denver, while Minnesota had to compete in two play-in tournament games in the last week to earn the No. 8 seed in the NBA playoff bracket. See the Timberwolves vs Nuggets below for a game you can watch on TNT.
Timberwolves vs Nuggets Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +7.5 (-110) | +245 | O 224.5 (-110) |
| Denver Nuggets | -7.5 (-110) | -300 | U 224.5 (-110) |
Not surprisingly, the Nuggets are 7.5-point home favorites to take the edge in the series with a Game 1 victory. All four games between these two during the regular season went over 224.5 points, the current total in the NBA betting line for this one.
Odds as of April 15th from FanDuel. Unlock the FanDuel promo code to bet on this game.
Gobert and Anderson Overcome Squabble
After choking away a double-digit fourth-quarter lead in the 7 vs 8 game against the Lakers, things looked ominous for the Timberwolves. Rudy Gobert was suspended by the team for that contest after punching teammate Kyle Anderson during a dispute in the last game of the regular season.
The Minnesota brass decided to allow The Stifle Tower back into the fold for their one-game elimination and boy did it pay dividends. Imposing his presence from the jump, Gobert had 21 points and 10 rebounds in his return from exile in a 120-95 demolition of the Thunder.
Although they have a tough draw against the West’s best, the T-Wolves more than held their own against the Nuggets this season, splitting the season series at two wins apiece.
Timberwolves vs Nuggets Results This Season
| Date | Home-Away | Spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02/07/2023 | DEN 146 – MIN 112 | DEN | Over |
| 02/05/2023 | MIN 128 – DEN 98 | MIN | Push |
| 01/18/2023 | DEN 122 – MIN 118 | MIN | Under |
| 01/02/2023 | MIN 124 – DEN 111 | MIN | Over |
Going back to last season, the Timberwolves have covered the spread in six of their last seven head-to-head meetings with Denver.
Will Extra Rest Help or Hurt Nuggets in Game 1?
For the Nuggets in Game 1, how they play may be a question of rest vs rust. Sometimes that may be a problem, but for this Denver squad, a week off should be a huge benefit.
The usually durable Jokic sat out a number of games down the stretch with a calf injury, so the week off couldn’t come at a more perfect time. Running mate Jamal Murray has also been dealing with a right thumb issue and while it may be taped up, there doesn’t appear to be much concern on Denver’s side.
Jamal's Murray's right thumb and Nikola Jokic's right calf are still injuries to monitor. I'd still expect Murray's thumb to be taped tomorrow for Game 1. But it doesn't seem like they're of too much concern right now. https://t.co/rlEKyKen4u
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) April 15, 2023
At home, Denver put up an awesome 34-7 mark this year, 2nd best in the NBA next to the Grizzlies. When hosting this season, Denver was 26-15 against the spread in the NBA odds, covering 63.4% of the time.
Timberwolves vs Nuggets Prediction
Having finished as the top seed in the West, you’d expect the Nuggets to get a bit more respect in the NBA Championship odds, but they’re currently listed at +1000, the 3rd shortest odds amongst teams in their conference.
Timberwolves vs Nuggets Same-Game Parlay Picks
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 224.5 Points | -110 |
| Denver Nuggets Moneyline | -300 |
| Nikola Jokic 25+ Points | -120 |
| PARLAY ODDS | Â +294 |
Expect their leader, Jokic to be intent on inflicting some damage in this one. Media personalities have been pretty adamant that he shouldn’t win his 3rd consecutive MVP and that it would be a shame if he did because he doesn’t belong in the company of players that achieved that feat.
Compound that with the well-needed rest he got and his recent haircut and the T-Wolves look to be in for a rough ride. Yes, we mentioned his haircut, because his performances in his career after getting a fresh fade have been nothing short of spectacular in one of the more quirky stats you’ll find.
Nikola Jokic stats in his first game after getting a haircut (career):
37.8 PTS
14.3 REB
9.0 AST56/42/88
UNDEFEATED!!
Good Luck to the 8 seed pic.twitter.com/4AKUMub7Ex
— Scoot Vs (@scoot_vs) April 13, 2023
If you’re going to stick with one prediction in this one, then we suggest you go with the over. It’s hit in five of the last six games between these two in Denver and at 224.5, the total is lower than any combined number of points these two squads have put up in any of their four meetings this season.
Pick: Over 224.5 Points (-110)
Other NBA picks today:
Sports Writer
George has had a lifelong love affair with sports and studying sports statistics since he was a kid. He graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and has worked in the sports & media industry ever since in various roles from writer to producer.
