Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Predictions, Odds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

7 minute read

Jan. 5, 2021

By Michael Crosson

VegasInsider.com

The stage might not be set for an epic matchup between heavyweight contenders, but Western Conference NBA action is back on Tuesday night with the Minnesota Timberwolves visiting the Denver Nuggets, and VI has you covered with another slate of Best Bets and Game Previews to help handicap all the action.

Betting Resources

Matchup: Western Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Ball Arena
Location: Denver, Colorado
Date: Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Time: 9:05 p.m. ET
TV: Altitude
Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet | Colorado

Betting Odds - Timberwolves vs. Nuggets

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: Nuggets -11
Money-Line: Denver -800, Minnesota +550
Total: 227

After a tough stretch of games to open the season, Denver comes into this game as a double-digit favorite for the first time this year, while the Timberwolves find themselves in a rather familiar situation – currently listed as double-digit ‘underdogs’ for the third time already this year.

Jamal Murray and the Nuggets seek a sweep of their home-and-home set with the Wolves. (AP)

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Current Form-Last Game

The Nuggets’ schedule has been brutal to start the season, already having to matchup with the Clippers, Rockets, Suns, and Kings twice in four of their first five contests.

Denver’s 2-4 SU record out of the gate is nonetheless still disappointing, considering Mike Malone’s team was just three wins short of reaching last year’s NBA Finals in the Orlando bubble.

Minnesota actually had a heartbeat to start this season, reigning victorious in contests against the Pistons (111-101) and Jazz (116-111) behind what was on pace to be a second consecutive solid performance from their All-Star Center, Karl-Anthony Towns (19 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5 assists).

Unfortunately for the T-Wolves though, Towns dislocated his wrist during Minnesota’s second victory of the season against the Jazz, and they haven’t managed to win a game since.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Head-to-Head

Jan. 3, 2021 - Nuggets 124 at Wolves 109, Denver -8.5, Over 226
Feb. 23, 2020 - Nuggets 128 vs. Wolves 116, Minnesota +14.5, Over 222
Jan. 20, 2020 - Nuggets 107 at Wolves 100, Denver +4, Under 221
Dec. 20, 2019 - Nuggets 109 vs. Wolves 100, Minnesota +10, Over 215.5

The Timberwolves and Nuggets matched up this past Sunday in what resulted in a lopsided affair in favor of the Nuggets, as Jamal Murray (36 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 65% FG) had one of his sporadic regular season explosions in a 124-109 win.

Nikola Jokic also had a big game this past Sunday, racking up 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists across just 31 minutes against the Wolves, completing his fourth triple-double of the season in just six contests.

Despite losing by 15 points to the Nuggets, Minnesota didn’t put on a terrible offensive display as a team by any means, shooting over 50% from the field and over 30% from 3-point territory for the contest.

It is imperative that the Wolves step it up on the defensive side of the ball though if they want to compete in games against teams with Denver-like offensive firepower.

Malik Beasley and Jarrett Culver served as the main bright spots for Minnesota’s offense this past Sunday, combining for 45 points on 18 for 29 shooting (62.1% FG).

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 2-4 SU, 2-4 ATS, 2-4 O/U

The Timberwolves weren’t much of a playoff contender before the injury to KAT, but now that their star center is out with a dislocated wrist and currently doesn’t have a time table for a return.

With that being said, Minnesota doesn’t serve as much of a threat to remotely compete in basketball games against above average opponents anymore.

Minnesota still has D’Angelo Russell, who is capable of putting on spectacular performances here and there but will likely need the help of his supporting cast, especially on defense, if the T-Wolves intend on keeping up with playoff caliber teams like the Nuggets.

Denver Nuggets Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 2-4 SU, 2-4 ATS, 5-1 O/U

The Nuggets were a team with high hopes coming into this season after knocking off the Clippers in the second round of the playoffs to advance to the Western Conference Finals, but have really struggled to close out games out of the gate to start their 2020-2021 campaign.

Jokic is playing absolutely incredible, averaging 22.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 12.8 assists per game on 61.7% from the field and 43.8% from deep.

Murray has scored 20 or more points in four consecutive games, which is something he did only one time during last year’s regular season.

Key Injuries

Minnesota Timberwolves

C Karl-Anthony Towns: Wrist - Out
G Josh Okogie: Hamstring - Out

Denver Nuggets

SF Greg Whittington: Knee - Questionable
F Michael Porter, Jr.: COVID-19 - Questionable

Towns is set to miss at least Tuesday’s contest with a wrist injury, absolutely crushing what the line would be for a typical matchup between these teams.

Although he has not tested positive for coronavirus, Michael Porter Jr. is expected to miss multiple games due to quarantine after contract tracing showed him recently being exposed to COVID-19.

Porter’s absence might alter Denver’s chances in a game against a title contender, or even a playoff contender. But luckily for them, Minnesota is certainly not one of those teams without KAT.

Player Prop Best Bet

Nikola Jokic – To Record a Triple-Double (+120)

Jokic is off to a monster start in the Nuggets’ 2020-2021 regular season campaign, currently averaging 22.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 12.8 assists per game across Denver’s first six contests, resulting in triple-doubles in four of those affairs.

With Porter Jr. set to miss time after being exposed to COVID-19, Jokic’s usage should be near its maximum level in Tuesday’s tilt with Minnesota, after easily compiling a triple-double against them in his last contest just a few days ago (19 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists).