Minnesota Timberwolves - Denver Nuggets predictions and free betting tips [02/11/2023]

The Minnesota Timberwolves will host the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, on Thursday morning.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves are having a tough start to the new season, losing two of the first three games. Returning home after a 113:127 loss against the Hawks, the team hopes to utilise their experience and roster strength to enhance their performance. In the game against the Hawks, Anthony Edwards once again stood out, scoring 31 points and making 7 assists. Currently, the 22-year-old guard is averaging 25.3 points and grabbing 7 rebounds per game. Karl-Anthony Towns is contributing, albeit he's not demonstrating as high scoring rates as anticipated, with an average of 15.7 points and 10 rebounds per match. Rudy Gobert is also proving his worth by averaging 14.3 points and 13.3 rebounds in each match.

Last season was successful for Minnesota, where the team secured 42 victories and won 22 out of 41 games at home. However, in the current season, the team ranks 26th, averaging 104.3 points per game. Defensively, Minnesota ranks fifth in the NBA, allowing 104.7 points per match. The Timberwolves are presently struggling with their shot conversion, only hitting 44% of their shots, but their opponents are only scoring 45%. Despite the tough start, the team's strength and potential suggest an improvement in results in the forthcoming matches.

Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets opened the current season in an impressive manner, showcasing confident gameplay against strong opponents. After four games, they have shown their resolve by winning against teams like the Lakers and OKC. In Monday's match against the Jazz with a scoreline of 110:102, the Nuggets confirmed their status. The team's star, Nikola Jokic, continues his excellent form, scoring on average over 55% points in each game. On Monday, against the Jazz, he snagged a triple-double, scoring 27 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and making 11 assists.

The team's point guard, Jamal Murray, is also displaying consistent performance, averaging 20 points per game. Michael Porter Jr. in this season is currently scoring 12.3 points and bagging 8.8 rebounds per game. Although Denver wasn't a dominant force on the road last season, they have already scored 2 victories in away games this season. The Nuggets will aim to further their winning streak, leveraging their key players' exceptional performance and the team's high-level play.

Prediction for the Minnesota Timberwolves - Denver Nuggets match

The Denver Nuggets have been demonstrating excellent form at the outset of the season, winning all four games, three of which by more than 8 points. In the previous match against the Thunder, Denver showcased their best side, gaining a 33-point lead. Conversely, Minnesota began the season inconsistently, showing only a 44% attacking efficiency. Denver stands out for their high attack efficiency, hitting 53.8% of their shots, which is the best performance in the NBA. Their three-point shooting effectiveness is also high, placing them tenth in the league.

This aspect of the game might cause problems for Minnesota, who ranks 23rd in three-point shooting defence. Whilst the Nuggets score, on average, 118.9 points per 100 possessions, Minnesota's rate is 104 points. The Nuggets are truly in form this season: Jokic continues to please fans with his triple-doubles, and Gordon consistently scores points. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have only managed one victory out of 3 matches, losing to the Hawks despite Edwards' efforts. Although the Nuggets will inevitably suffer a loss sooner or later, their play is currently so convincing that they are likely to continue their winning streak.