Timberwolves vs Nuggets Game 4 Prediction NBA Playoffs 4/23
- Lm Tipster
- Apr 23, 2023, 1:23:50 AM
© Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Game Preview: Nuggets vs Timberwolves (Apr 23, 2023) Pregame - Nuggets look to secure series win over the Timberwolves
The stage is set for game four of the Western Conference first-round playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets are in control of the series, leading 3-0 over the Timberwolves. The upcoming game is a must-win for the Timberwolves, while the Nuggets aim to secure the series win. According to NBA picks experts, the Timberwolves have a slim advantage in this matchup, with the point spread set at -3 in favor of the home team. However, NBA picks computers predict a high-scoring game, with the over/under set at 224.5 points. NBA picks and predictions also suggest that the Nuggets have the upper hand in this matchup, as they have won their last meeting with the Timberwolves in a 120-111 victory. The Nuggets will look to continue their winning momentum and clinch the series over the Timberwolves on their home turf. As of now, the Nuggets have the best record in the Western Conference, and experts predict they will continue to dominate in the NBA today. The team's top performers, Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr., are averaging 20.0 and 25.0 points per game, respectively. Meanwhile, for the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are performing well, averaging 24.6 and 17.8 points per game in their last ten games. When it comes to NBA picks with spread and NBA picks and parlays, the Nuggets continue to be a popular choice among NBA experts. The Nuggets have been consistently performing well against Western Conference opponents, with a win-loss record of 34-18. Overall, the Nuggets have the edge over the Timberwolves in this matchup, and NBA experts' best NBA bets today lean towards a Nuggets victory to secure their series win over the Timberwolves in game four.
Nuggets: Offensive Analysis
The Denver Nuggets will look to secure a series win over the Minnesota Timberwolves as the two teams meet in game four of the Western Conference first round. With a 3-0 lead in the series, the Nuggets will rely heavily on their offense to clinch the win and advance to the next round. Denver's offensive prowess is evident in their ranking as the top team in the Western Conference with a record of 53-29. They are fifth in the league in scoring with an average of 115.8 points per game, which ranks them 11th overall. Nikola Jokic leads the way averaging 20 points per game and 11.3 rebounds per game. The Nuggets' offense also excels in fast-break points, averaging 16.2 per game, which ranks them fifth in the league. Bruce Brown is the top performer for the Nuggets with an average of 4.0 fast-break points per game. Denver's three-point percentage of 38.0% ranks them fourth in the league, with Michael Porter Jr. leading the way in made three-pointers with an average of 2.3 per game. They also rank third in points in the paint, averaging 55.0 per game. In addition, the Nuggets are adept at sharing the ball with an average of 28.8 assists per game, ranking them second overall. This is due in part to Jokic's ability to facilitate the offense with his passing. However, the Timberwolves are not to be underestimated, ranking eighth in the Western Conference with a record of 42-40. They are particularly adept at scoring in the paint, ranking eighth in the league with 54.2 points per game. Rudy Gobert leads the team with an average of 11.3 points per game. Overall, while the Nuggets have a significant advantage in offensive firepower, the Timberwolves' strength in scoring in the paint cannot be ignored. However, with the Nuggets' strong offensive performance this season, the team is in a favorable position to secure the win and advance in the playoffs.
Nuggets: Defensive Analysis
The Denver Nuggets have been one of the most consistent teams in the NBA, especially in the Western Conference. They have proven to be a challenging team to play against and are great on both ends of the court. In this upcoming game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, their defense will be put under scrutiny as they try to secure their series win. The Nuggets are currently ranked 8th in the league with 112.1 points allowed per game. However, it's important to note that they have been a lot better in their last 10 games, holding their opponents to an average of 107.7 points, which is below their season opponent average. They have also been able to generate turnovers, averaging 8.0 steals per game, which ranks them 11th in the league. Denver has shown to be a great rebounding team as well, averaging 50.9 rebounds per game, which ranks them 20th in the league. On the defensive end, they have been better, holding their opponents to an average of 48.1 rebounds per game, which ranks them 1st in the league. The Nuggets' interior defense has been impressive throughout the season, and they will need it against the Timberwolves who are ranked 8th in the league with 54.2 points in the paint per game. They will need their center, Nikola Jokic, to continue being a defensive anchor, averaging 0.7 blocks per game. Denver has also been effective defending the three-point line, and they rank 4th in the league, allowing their opponents to shoot only 34.5% from beyond the arc. This will be essential against the Timberwolves, who like to shoot from downtown, averaging 33.0 three-point attempts per game. In conclusion, the Denver Nuggets are a well-rounded team that can defend well in various areas of the court. With Jokic anchoring their defense and their ability to generate turnovers, they should be able to shut down the Timberwolves in this game and secure their series win. NBA picks experts and computer NBA picks agree that the Nuggets are favorites for this game, and their solid defensive performance is one of the reasons why.
Timberwolves: Offense Analysis
In the upcoming game between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Timberwolves will need to improve their offensive game to avoid getting swept in the Western Conference first round series. According to NBA picks experts, the Timberwolves have struggled on offense in their past ten games, averaging only 111.0 points per game while shooting at a rate of 47.3% from the field. In comparison, the Nuggets have been averaging 108.5 points per game in their last ten games while shooting at a rate of 47.5% from the field. This suggests that the Nuggets have a higher chance of securing a win in the game. Furthermore, the Timberwolves need to be wary of the Nuggets' offense, which ranks fifth in the league with an average of 16.2 fast break points per game. The Nuggets also have an effective field goal percentage of 57.3%, the highest in the league, which could pose a significant threat to the Timberwolves defense. Although the Timberwolves have a potent offense led by Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 24.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals, they will need to rely on their team's scoring depth against the Nuggets. Karl-Anthony Towns has been performing well in their last ten games, averaging 17.8 points, and he will have to step up his game to support the team's offensive performance. In conclusion, based on NBA picks computer predictions and expert analysis, the Nuggets are expected to have a stronger chance of winning the game due to their better offensive performance and more significant offensive threats. The Timberwolves will need to improve their offensive game and rely on their scoring depth to avoid getting swept in the Western Conference first round series.
Timberwolves: Defensive Analysis
The Denver Nuggets will be looking to secure a series win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in game four of the Western Conference first round, and a key aspect of their game plan will be focused on their defensive performance. The Nuggets have been solid defensively all season, ranking 8th in the league for points allowed per game (112.1) and 5th for average score margin (-3.8). They have also been strong at limiting fast break points, allowing just 13.6 per game, which is 14th in the league. One of the key components of their defense is their ability to defend the paint well. They allow just 52.2 points in the paint per game, which is 21st in the league, and they will need to continue that trend in order to limit the production of Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, who is averaging 11.3 points per game in the paint. The Nuggets will also need to disrupt the Timberwolves' ball movement, as they rank 2nd in the league for assists per game (28.8). They will look to force turnovers and limit their opponent's efficiency, as evidenced by their 7.8 steals per game, which is 11th in the league. Overall, the Nuggets will be relying on their solid defensive foundation to secure a win and advance to the next round of the playoffs. According to NBA picks experts, the Nuggets are favored to win the game with a -3 spread, and the over/under is set at 224.5. NBA picks computers have also predicted a win for the Nuggets, with an average score of 118-111. In light of this, bettors can consider placing NBA picks and parlays, as well as NBA expert picks, to potentially benefit from the Nuggets' strong defensive performance in the upcoming game.
Injury Report
Both teams are relatively healthy for this crucial playoff game. The Minnesota Timberwolves have two players listed as out due to injury: Naz Reid (wrist) and Jaden McDaniels (hand). The Denver Nuggets, on the other hand, have no players listed on their injury report. The Nuggets' good health is especially important as they aim to close out the series against the Timberwolves. With a 3-0 series lead, the Nuggets don't want to risk any unnecessary injuries as they pursue a championship. Overall, the injury report doesn't seem to have a significant impact on the game's outcome, as neither team is dealing with significant injury concerns.
| Player | Team | Position | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naz Reid | Minnesota Timberwolves | Out (wrist) | |
| Jaden McDaniels | Minnesota Timberwolves | Out (hand) | |
| None listed | Denver Nuggets |
Betting Trends
The Denver Nuggets have dominated the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning all three games so far. The Nuggets are favored by 3 points in the upcoming game, and the over/under is set at 224.5. According to NBA picks experts and computer NBA picks, the Nuggets are the clear favorites to win the game and secure their series victory. The Timberwolves have struggled against division opponents, going 8-8, and their defense has been a major weakness, allowing an average of 112.1 points per game. On the other hand, the Nuggets have a strong offense, scoring an average of 115.8 points per game and ranking first in the Western Conference. They are also fifth in the league with 16.2 fastbreak points per game, which could prove to be a challenge for the Timberwolves. NBA picks and parlays suggest that Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. will be the top performers for the Nuggets, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards are likely to lead the way for the Timberwolves. Considering the Nuggets' dominance in the series so far and their strong offensive performance, the best NBA bets today favor the Nuggets to win with the spread. NBA picks with spread also suggest that the game is likely to go over the set over/under of 224.5.
Prediction:
There are several reasons why the Minnesota Timberwolves may keep the game close and cover the +3.5 point spread in their must-win Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets. Firstly, the Timberwolves have won their last three games, showing that they are in good form and capable of competing with top teams in the league. Secondly, the game is being played at the Target Center, where the Timberwolves have a solid 22-19 home record this season. Thirdly, the Timberwolves lost the previous game against the Nuggets by only nine points, indicating that they are capable of keeping the game competitive. Additionally, with their backs against the wall in a must-win situation, the Timberwolves will be highly motivated to give it their all and keep the game close. These factors combined could lead to the Timberwolves covering the spread and potentially even winning the game outright.
Pick: Timberwolves (+3.5)
