Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction: Wolves showed fight but may stand no chance in Denver

The NBA fever has reached its peak and the Playoffs have given us two big surprises. In the East, the last-seeded Miami Heat is up three-one against the Milwaukee Bucks and in the West, the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers are up three-one against the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. However, one series where there have been few surprises has been between Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Will the Nuggets close it out here?

In Game 4, the Timberwolves played some terrific defense and effected a 114:108 in Overtime. The first quarter saw just 45 points in total with Wolves taking a one-point lead but then Nuggets turned the heat and pinched out a 30-25 points advantage taking a four-point lead before the half ended. Then in the third quarter, the Wolves came up with a rousing response and outscored Denver by 10 points to take a six points lead. In the last quarter,

Minnesota had a nine points lead with around two minutes and forty seconds left but Michael Porter Jr. nailed a three to cut it to six. He then made another three to cut it to three and then Nikola Jokic’s eleven-footer and a free-throw with 12 seconds left tied the game. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope blocked Anthony Edwards’ jumper and the game went to Overtime. In the OT, the Timberwolves made four triples, two of them by Nickeill Alexander-Walker, and closed the game out.

For the Wolves, Anthony Edwards led the way with 34 points, making five of their triples. Karl Anthony-Towns scooped up 17 points and 11 rebounds while Rudy Gobert also had a double-double, scrapping 14 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks. Mike Conley had 19 points and eight assists whereas Kyle Anderson had another impactful game, with 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block stat line.

For the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic had a monster game, racking up 43 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter combined for 29 points and shot 50%. Jamal Murray shot just 8/21(2/7 from three) for 19 points. Caldwell-Pope shot just 2/7 while Bruce Brown had a strong 11 points and six rebounds game. Both teams made 42 field goals, Wolves nailed one more triple and made five more free throws.

• Nuggets: OUT: Collin Gillespie;
• Timberwolves: OUT: Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson. QUESTIONABLE: Jaylen Nowell.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Nikola Jokic(30+ Points), Anthony Edwards(26-31 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Rudy Gobert(13-17 Rebounds), Nikola Jokic(11-14 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Nikola Jokic(10-13 Assists), Mike Conley(6-8 Assists).

The Nuggets are looking in great touch but the Wolves have made it a bit tricky. For the Nuggets, Jokic remains their prime performer but he has a balanced attack around him. Playing at home here, the Nuggs would fancy their chances and I believe they will close it out here. I predict a scoreline of 120:107 in their favor.