After overcoming a 19-point deficit to steal Game 2 on the road, the Minnesota Timberwolves return home to host the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round series on Thursday night at 9:30 PM ET.

Anthony Edwards had 30 points and 10 rebounds, Julius Randle added 24 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, and Donte DiVincenzo chipped in with 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists as the T’Wolves ended Denver’s 13-game win streak.

Naz Reid had 11 points and nine rebounds as Minnesota’s bench outscored the Nuggets’, 33-23.

Jamal Murray had 30 points for the second straight game, to go with seven rebounds and seven assists. Nikola Jokic just missed another triple-double with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. Denver also had its 12-game home win streak snapped. 

Denver has still won four of six meetings with the Timberwolves this season, including both contests in Minnesota, though those meetings were early in 2025-26 campaign.

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves NBA Betting Odds

Despite winning Game 2, the T-Wolves are slight two-point underdogs on the NBA odds board at home, and are currently listed at +110 on the moneyline. The Nuggets are the favourites at -130 right now. 

The over/under is listed at 234. With Monday’s Game 2 going to the over, the teams have split six games this season to the over/under.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets let one slip away. It’s as simple as that. Blowing a 19-point lead is nothing, especially when that lead was early in the second quarter. It’s how Denver closed the Game 2 loss that is most troubling. 

Jokic had 16 of his 24 in the third quarter, but he and Murray combined to go just 2-for-12 in the fourth. 

Losing Game 2 hurts even more when you consider the history of both franchises. The Nuggets have won all eight series in which they’ve had a 2-0 lead, while Minnesota is the exact opposite, losing all eight in which they trailed 0-2. 

Peyton Watson (hamstring) remains sidelined, and he is expected to miss the entire first round, but the Nuggets have the rest of their rotation available. 

Christian Braun had 16 points and five assists, and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 16 points off the bench on Monday, but Denver needs more from Aaron Gordon than just eight points, seven rebounds, and four assists. 

Minnesota Timberwolves

Edwards missed 11 of the final 14 regular-season games with a bum knee, and there were some residual effects during an uneven Game 1 performance, but the rust is quickly wearing off.

Edwards was more aggressive and drove to the hoop more on Monday, settling for fewer midrange jumpers. That’s the Edwards the Timberwolves need to advance. 

Minnesota lost two of three at the Target Center to close the season, and dropped both games there against the Nuggets this season, so Minnesota needs to get the crowd going early and often.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Timberwolves?

Denver should be looking at a 2-0 lead in this series, so the pressure is squarely on the Nuggets’ shoulders in Game 3.

This is the third time in the past four seasons these teams have faced each other in the postseason. There is no intimidation and no love lost – just physical basketball with a few superstars mixed in. Look for Denver to right the ship and steal one right back on the road with a 111-108 triumph.111

NUGGETS

Away

111

TIMBERWOLVES

Home

108

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Predictions

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