If Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round series between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves was a turning point, Thursday’s Game 3 was a statement. After defeating the Nuggets 113-96, the Timberwolves have a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4 in Minneapolis at 8:30 PM ET on Saturday.

Ayo Dosunmu had a team-high 25 points to go with nine assists off the bench, Jaden McDaniels added 20 points with 10 rebounds and Rudy Gobert added 10 points and 12 rebounds as Minnesota jumped out to a 25-11 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. 

The Nuggets, who have now lost two straight after winning 13 in a row, were led by Nikola Jokic with 27 points and 15 rebounds. Jamal Murray went 0-for-5 from beyond the arc and finished with 16 points as the Nuggets shot just 34% from the field and 25% from long range.

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves NBA Betting Odds

Despite losing the past two games, the Nuggets enter Game 4 as slight -1.5 favourites on the NBA odds board. They are -125 on the moneyline, while the Wolves are +105.

The over/under is listed at 229.5. Thursday’s total fell well below the listed 234, and it was the fourth time in seven games these teams played to the under this season.

Denver Nuggets

Well, this one got ugly quick, didn’t it? Denver blew Game 2, but the Nuggets simply threw Game 3 away. Murray was great, going 6-of-14 from three-point land in Game 2, but he is 0-of-13 in the other two games in this series.

The Nuggets are now shooting just 40.8% from the field and 30.3% from three-point range in the series. It doesn’t help that they have gone from winning the battle on the glass in Game 1 to getting outrebounded 53-40 in Game 3. 

Aaron Gordon missed last night’s contest with a calf injury, and Denver certainly missed his energy. Tim Hardaway (11 points) and Zeke Nnaji (10 points) were the only other Nuggets to score in double figures last night. They need Gordon back.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards shot just 40% from the field and made just two of his eight three-point attempts to finish with 17 points in Game 3. It was his lowest output of the series, and the Timberwolves still won by 17.

Donte DiVincenzo added 15 points and seven assists, while Julius Randle contributed 15 points and six rebounds as Minnesota showed its scoring depth. Speaking of depth, Dosunmu, who combined for 23 points through the first two games of the series, was the main beneficiary of Edwards being held to just 24 minutes. His 25 points were his most since coming over from Chicago at the trade deadline.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Timberwolves?

Could Denver really be on the ropes? Thursday was not pretty, as Jokic was just 7-of-26 from the field and 2-of-10 from long range. The Nuggets won’t be able to withstand yet another poor shooting night from their stars.

The T’Wolves have taken control of this series, and they can put a stranglehold on it with a win Saturday night, and that’s exactly what I see them doing. Look for Minnesota to move the Nuggets one game closer to elimination with a 111-105 victory.

NUGGETS

Away

105

TIMBERWOLVES

Home

111

Score
Predictions

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