Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves prediction and preview | Nov. 1, 2024
Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves is the primetime matchup for Friday's NBA slate. These Western Conference hopefuls will do battle in hopes of getting above .500 for the year.
With both sitting at 2-2 on their year, neither side has come out of the gates hot to start the 2024-25 campaign. The new-look Timberwolves are still finding their footing after making a big change to their roster this offseason. They'll be aiming to get back on track Friday after suffering a loss to the Dallas Mavericks in their last game.
As for the Nuggets, their slow start has many wondering if the team's title window is closed for good. However, they've slowly started to build positive momentum. Denver enters Friday riding high on a two-game win streak, securing overtime victories over the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets.
This game should be an exciting matchup, as it'll be the first meeting since the Timberwolves eliminated the Nuggets from the playoffs last year.
Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Game details and odds
Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves is set to tip off at 9:30 pm Eastern Time. The matchup will be broadcast in front of a national audience on ESPN. Here is the full breakdown of the betting odds for this clash of Western Conference foes:
Spread: Nuggets +4 (-110), Timberwolves -4 (-110)
Moneyline: Nuggets (+152), Timberwolves (-180)
Over/Under: Over 218 (-108), Under 218 (-112)
Editor's note: Game odds are subject to change closer to tip-off
Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Preview
Heading into this matchup, the key thing to watch is star power. Even though their teams are off to slow starts, Nikola Jokic and Anthony Edwards are still two of the game's top talents. Whichever star is able to shine brighter Friday will likely be the one leading their team to victory.
Edwards is coming off his best outing of the season thus far, erupting for 37 points against the Dallas Mavericks. What stood out most was him knocking down seven of his 13 attempts from beyond the arc. Fresh off a breakout season last year, the Timberwolves star looks poised to take another step forward.
With the Nuggets' offense sputtering at times, Jokic has had to take on an even bigger role. He's already gone for 40+ points on two occasions and is fresh off a dominant triple-double (29 points, 18 rebounds, 16 assists) against the Nets. There's no telling if this is sustainable, but the three-time MVP continues to be one of the game's top talents.
Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Betting props
Looking at the betting props for this game, Nikola Jokic has the highest scoring line (27.5) of any player. Anthony Edwards isn't far behind him at 26.5. Other notable lines are Edwards' made threes at 4.5 and Jokic's assists at 7.5.
Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Prediction
Even though they have the momentum coming into this game, the Nuggets have failed to take down any notable teams this year. Even with Jokic playing the way he is, the production around him has been questionable at best.
As the deeper team with much more reliable firepower, Edwards and the Timberwolves should be the ones to walk away victorious Friday night.