The second seeded Denver Nuggets will be facing the third seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in a series this upcoming Saturday. It’s a series that could end up being one of the best throughout the entire playoffs. With the star power of Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns facing off against Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr- surely anything is possible.

• Series Start Date: Saturday, May 4 | Time: 4 PM
• Location: Ball Arena – Denver
• TV Channel: TNT
• Odds: Nuggets -4.5; O/U 207.5 per DraftKings Sportsbook

Denver Nuggets Overview

In our season preview we had the Nuggets going 53-29, and they promptly finished 57-25 tied for first in the West. Because they lost the season series to OKC they got stuck with the 2 seed. They then played a hard-fought series against the Lakers that they ended up winning 4 games to 1. With an average margin of victory of 5.25 points, it really shows Denver’s toughness in close games. The Nuggets’ key to victory in the series though? Of course, it’s Nikola Jokic.

Jokic ended the series leading the team in all important averages. Points (28.2), rebounds (16.2), assists (9.8), as well as FG% (59.1) and he was second in 3P% (33.3). The two-time MVP has been dominant on offense and has the Nuggets clicking on all cylinders going into their series against the Timberwolves.

Jamal Murray also showed his toughness as he played through a leg injury in game 5. Not only did the Nuggets close the series out in that game, but Murray hit the game-winner. It was his second game-winning shot of the series as he also hit one a week earlier in the same arena.

Minnesota Timberwolves Overview

At the beginning of the year, we had the Timberwolves finishing 45-37 as the seven seed in the West. Needless to say, they exceeded our and everyone’s expectations with a 56-26 record- good for 3rd in the West. Anthony Edwards continues to blossom into one of the stars of the game, while Karl Anthony-Towns managed to avoid a major injury to give the T-Wolves a shot at a playoff run. And after sweeping the Suns in 4 games, it looks like a deep run could be in play.

Edwards is averaging an astounding 31 ppg to go along with 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Throw in 2 steals per game, and this kid has been looking/playing like the second-coming of MJ recently.

Behind Edwards’ monster performances, the other Timberwolves players have surprisingly still been getting their share of the scoring. With more than 5 players in double digits ppg, Minnesota is showing that they are going to be a tough out.

Nuggets v. Timberwolves Series Prediction

If the Timberwolves can get going offensively then this might be a tough matchup for the defending champs. Anthony Edwards is dangerous. He has the ability to take over a series, and if he does Minnesota could maybe take this one handily. But I just don’t envision that happening yet in Ant’s career. He should play well; however, the Nuggets are a much better defensive team than the Suns.

Because of this I think the series will go the full seven games. These are the two best defensive teams in the West. This series might get chippy between division rivals. I really want to pick the Timberwolves here, but I just can’t ignore the grittiness that the Nuggets showed in the Lakers series.

Prediction: Nuggets in 7

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