Nuggets vs. Timberwolves: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Odds
| Nuggets Odds | +8 |
| Knicks Odds | -8 |
| Over/Under | 226 |
| Date | Sun, Feb. 5 |
| Time | 7:00 p.m. |
| TV | BSWI |
The NBA’s Sunday slate will conclude with a matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. Ahead of tip-off, Denver has listed Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as doubtful. As a result, oddsmakers are expecting a comfortable win for the Timberwolves in this spot, pricing Minnesota as 8-point home favorites on the spread.
Denver Nuggets
Jokic, Murray, Gordon, Caldwell-Pope listed as doubtful
Following a 128-108 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, it appears likely that the Nuggets will use Sunday as a rest opportunity for four of their starters. Per Cleaning the Glass, when Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are each off of the floor at the same time this season, Denver ranks in the first percentile in offensive efficiency and the second percentile in defensive efficiency, in a sample size of 504 possessions.
Who will step up for Denver?
According to CourtIQ, when Jokic, Murray, Gordon, and Caldwell-Pope are off of the floor, Bruce Brown (+5.9%) and Bones Hyland (+4.8%) see the largest increase in usage on the roster. In these situations, Brown is averaging 13.8 points and 5.5 assists per 36 minutes of action. Hyland is averaging 28.6 points and 5.3 assists per 36 minutes.
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Minnesota Timberwolves
Towns remains OUT
Karl-Anthony Towns will once again be in street clothes for the Timberwolves on Sunday as he continues to make his way back from a right calf strain. In his absence, Minnesota is 18-16 overall, with a +0.8 Net Rating. In 20 home games during that stretch, the team is 14-6, with a +4.2 Net Rating.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Minnesota ranks in the 35th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 63rd percentile in defensive efficiency this season with Towns on the court, compared to the 47th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 67th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
Edwards rising to superstardom
Across his last eight games played, Anthony Edwards is averaging 31.3 points, which ranks sixth in the entire NBA in that span. During that time period, Edwards is shooting an efficient 49.7% from the field and 42.9% from beyond-the-arc. Facing an extremely short-handed Denver defense, expect Edwards to stay hot this evening.
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves – Picks & Predictions
In January, the Nuggets rested Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. against the Milwaukee Bucks, but still managed to keep the game competitive – losing by only eight points on the road. Tonight, they will be without Jokic, Murray, and Aaron Gordon – once again leaving them short-handed on the road.
Nevertheless, this is a team with a strong culture, meaning that they will play extremely hard, no matter which five players are on the court. It would be surprising to see Denver pull an outright upset in this spot, but they are capable of covering a near double-digit spread.
PICK: Nuggets +8 (-110, DraftKings)
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