Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA 2025-26 Season, Today Match Prediction

Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Basteball Odds

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Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets trailed by as many as 12 points early, but used a 17-2 run in the third quarter to take command and held on for a 116-105 win.Murray led with 30 points on 16-of-16 from the free throw line while going 0-for-8 from three. Jokic posted 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, his 22nd career playoff triple-double. Aaron Gordon put up 17 points and 8 rebounds after scoring just 5 in the first half.The team's strong defensive effort in the second half limited the Timberwolves' scoring opportunities. This performance sets up an exciting matchup for the next game in the series.

In Game 2, the Nuggets cannot keep banking on 33 free throw attempts to make up for cold three-point shooting. Murray was 0-for-8 from deep in Game 1. That will not last. He is a career 37% three-point shooter in the playoffs and his mechanics looked fine. Expect him to push into that same 28-32 range with far better efficiency from the arc. Jokic will continue doing what Jokic does his 25-13-11 line in Game 1 was below his typical playmaking standard, but still unguardable. Gordon reminded everyone how critical he is on both ends in the second half and should maintain that 15-18 point range in Game 2.

The Nuggets on average score 121.9 points per game they score 49.2% from the field and are ranked 2nd in the league, and 38.9% from the arc and are ranked 1st in the league. The Nuggets grab 43 rebounds per game and Ranked 21st in season.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota cut the deficit to 97-95 with six minutes left in the fourth quarter before Jokic went on a personal 5-0 run to end the threat. They were right there late. The problem was the third quarter the Timberwolves went scoreless for more than four minutes at one point and were outscored 37-14 in that period alone.Edwards played 37 minutes and scored 22 points while still managing pain in his right knee. That is the honest reality of where this series is being played he is not 100% and everyone knows it. 

But playoff Edwards, even at 85%, is different from regular-season Edwards. He averaged 26.5 points per game across the 2024 and 2025 playoffs and the knee has not suddenly taken his IQ or his finishing ability. Expect him to push for 26-30 in Game 2 with more aggression at the rim. Donte DiVincenzo had four threes in Game 1 and can keep spacing the floor. Rudy Gobert needs a bigger game on both ends — he was present but not dominant in Game 1 — and if he can limit Jokic to 20 instead of 25, Minnesota's chances improve considerably.

The Timberwolves on average score 117.5 points per game, they score 47.9% from the field and are ranked 9th in the league, and 36.9% from the arc and are ranked 6th in the league. The Timberwolves grab 44.5 rebounds per game and ranked 11th in season.

Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Lineups

Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Match Prediction & Analysis

The Nuggets shot 55% from the field in the second and third quarters of Game 1 while holding Minnesota to 39.5% in those same periods.That kind of middle-quarter dominance is the blueprint Denver will try to replicate. The Wolves, meanwhile, will lean harder on Edwards from the opening tip instead of easing him in. The sore knee storyline will hang over this series, but he has a history of elevating in big moments — and this is as big as it gets for him.

The Denver Nuggets were 54-28 this season. They finished 2nd in the Northwest Division and 3rd in the Western Conference. They lead in the Western Conference First Round against the Minnesota Timberwolves, 1 game to 0.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were 49-33 this season. They finished 3rd in the Northwest Division and 6th in the Western Conference. They trail in the Western Conference First Round against the Denver Nuggets, 1 game to 0.

Denver lead the last 5 H2H 3–2, averaging 110.0 points per game while conceding 102.6 to Timberwolves. The Timberwolves scored 116.0 per game and gave up 124.8 in that stretch.

Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats

DENVER NUGGETS vs MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Winning Prediction

Denver is the better team right now, full stop. Jokic and Murray have been in this situation multiple times and know exactly how to close a series at home. The Wolves will fight, Edwards will not go quietly but the Nuggets' third-quarter runs have been too consistent all season to bet against. Denver takes Game 2 and a commanding 2-0 lead.

Denver Nuggets to Win and cover the spread (-6.5).

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