Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction 5-14-24 Picks

The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets do battle in a crucial NBA Game 5 at the Ball Arena on Tuesday night. Here’s a Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves will be starting to feel the pressure now that their series lead has disappeared following their 115-10 loss to the Nuggets in Game 4 on Sunday. Anthony Edwards led the team with a Game-high 44 points on 16 of 25 shooting, but he just didn’t get enough help as Mike Conley added 15 points with nine assists while Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 13 points and 12 rebounds. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 47 percent from the field and 11 of 28 from the 3-point line, but their problems were on the defensive end as they just left themselves too much ground to make up after leaking 64 points in the first half to trail by as many as 18 points.

Denver Nuggets

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets looked like they were in serious trouble when they dropped the first two games at home, but they will be full of confidence after outlasting the Timberwolves to square up the series heading back to Denver. Nikola Jokic led the team with 35 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, Aaron Gordon added 27 points with seven rebounds and six assists on 11 of 12 shooting while Jamal Murray chipped in with 19 points and eight assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot a healthy 57 percent from the field and 13 of 29 from the 3-point line as they hit the ground running and poured in 35 points in the second quarter to build an 18-point lead which was more than enough to hold off a cold-shooting Timberwolves squad who rallied late.

Why the Denver Nuggets will win

• The Nuggets have won each of their last nine home games after winning as underdogs.
• The Timberwolves have lost each of their last six games at Ball Arena following a home loss.
• The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last four games at Ball Arena following a road win.
• The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games after losing as favorites.

Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win

• The underdogs have won each of the Timberwolves’ last six games.
• The Nuggets have lost four of their last five Western Conference Semifinals games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents.
• The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last eight road games against the Nuggets following a home loss.
• The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as favorites.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Nuggets’ last six playoff home games have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Five of the Timberwolves’ last six road games against Northwest Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction

The Nuggets are keeping an eye on Jamal Murray, who is currently listed as questionable due to a left calf strain, but I expect him to suit up in what is their biggest Game of the season. The Timberwolves haven’t been able to recreate the defensive pressure that won them the first two Games of the series, and now they are faced with a crucial road Game against a Nuggets team who have finally woken up. The Timberwolves have already shown that they’re capable of pulling off the upset on the road, but the Nuggets are back in a groove, and they’re going to be tough to beat unless Edwards can get more scoring support. This should be a close contest, but with the line so short, I have to lean towards the Nuggets to maintain their momentum with a solid win and cover at home.