Game 5 of the Western Conference Playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves is set for Tuesday night. This series is currently tied up at two wins apiece and the road teams have won each of the first four games.
Denver just went into Minnesota and won two straight games, and they now have some momentum ahead of Game 5. The Nuggets are the defending NBA Champions, and they are one of the top favorites this year as well.
Minnesota comes into this game with some questions to answer, but they have already won in Denver twice. The Timberwolves swept the Phoenix Suns in the First Round, and they are good enough to make a deep run in the NBA Playoffs.
The Denver Nuggets are 4.5-point betting favorites in Game 5, and the over/under line is set at 205.5 total points.
Edwards Needs Help
Anthony Edwards is going to need some help if the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to find a way to win more games in Denver. Edwards is scoring over 32 points per game so far during this postseason run, but no other player is even over 20 points per game.
Karl-Anthony Towns had a rough shooting night in the Game 4 loss, and he seems to be getting frustrated with the physical play. Minnesota has the ability to shoot the ball well, but at times they just haven’t been making enough shots.
Finding a way to slow down Nikola Jokic is going to be another key as the Nuggets center is cruising on offense. Minnesota was tough to begin the series in Denver and they will need a similar performance in this game.
Denver Using Depth to Deliver
Nikola Jokic continues to lead the way for the Denver Nuggets as he is nearly averaging a triple double in this series. Jokic continues to find ways to make winning plays, and he has also been solid on defense in this series.
It has been the depth of the Nuggets that is making the difference as a number of players have stepped up on offense. Justin Holliday is giving Denver unexpected scoring, and Aaron Gordon has been a key as well.
The Nuggets are also playing an extremely physical brand of basketball with the Timberwolves, and that has frustrated Minnesota in recent games.
Nuggets Win Third Straight
The Minnesota Timberwolves missed out on a great chance to take control of this series, and they are now going to face some issues in Denver. Minnesota just doesn’t have enough offense, and they don’t have an answer for Jokic and company.
The Nuggets are always a tough team to beat on their home floor, even though they already dropped two home games in this series. Look for Denver to get out to an early lead in this game, and that will keep the crowd interested as well.
Bet the Denver Nuggets -4.5 as they are going to take control of Game 5 and this series with a comfortable win.
