May 4, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives against Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the second half during game one of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
- Minnesota comes into Game 2 against Denver after a huge upset over the defending champions in Game 1
- Oddsmakers firmly believe in the Nuggets evening the series on Monday night in Game 2
- See the Game 2 Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets odds, expert picks, and player props on May 6
On Saturday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves (60-26, 28-15 away, 44-40-2 ATS) did something that no Western Conference team managed to do in the 2023 NBA playoffs: beat the Nuggets in Denver. On Monday, the Nuggets (61-26, 36-8 home, 39-47-1 ATS) will try to even the best-of-seven series at one game apiece when they host the T-Wolves at Ball Arena in Game 2 at 8:10 pm MT/10:10 pm ET.
Denver was listed as a 4.5-point home favorite ahead of Game 1 and, despite falling 106-99, has been established as 5.5-point chalk in the T-Wolves vs Nuggets Game 2 odds.
Timberwolves vs Nuggets Odds (Game 2)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +5.5 (-110) | +180 | O 206.5 (-110) |
| Denver Nuggets | -5.5 (-110) | -223 | U 206.5 (-110) |
On the moneyline, the Nuggets are -223 favorites with Minnesota coming back as +180 underdogs to take a 2-0 series lead. The game total sees quite a range across sportsbooks, listed as low as 206.5 at BetMGM and as high as 207.5 at FanDuel, both down from 208.5 on Saturday.
Odds as of May 6 at BetMGM. Use these BetMGM promos to wager on the 2024 NBA playoffs.
The winner of the T-Wolves/Nuggets series will face the winner of the Dallas Mavericks vs OKC Thunder in the Western Conference finals in the NBA playoff bracket.
The public is hammering the Timberwolves against the spread: Minnesota is getting 71% of ATS handle in Monday’s NBA public betting splits. But the Nuggets are getting 86% of moneyline handle to even the series.
Anthony Edwards Dominates Series Opener
Timberwolves leading scorer Anthony Edwards (25.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG. 5.1 APG) was nothing short of sensational on Saturday, scoring a game-high 43 points on 58.6% shooting from the field (42.9% from three) with seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal in 42 minutes. Rudy Gobert grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds, helping Minnesota finish +6 on the glass (42-36).
Minnesota’s defense continued to play outstanding, limiting the Nuggets to 46.7% from the field and surrendering just three offensive rebounds the entire game. Nikola Jokic scored 32 points for Denver but was just 11-of-25 from the floor (44%). All five of Denver’s starters were -9 or worse while on the court.
Minnesota is now a perfect 5-0 in the postseason, while the Nuggets are 4-2 after beating the Lakers in five in the first round.
Denver went a perfect 8-0 at home last season while winning the Western Conference (and, eventually, the NBA title). But they are now just 1-2 at home against Minnesota this season, and 2-3 overall against the Timberwolves.
Minnesota vs Denver Game 2 Injury Reports
The Nuggets’ injury report for Game 2 once again lists Jamal Murray 21.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 6.5 APG) as questionable with a calf injury. Murray scored 17 points on 6-of-14 shooting in 34 minutes in Game 1. He played at least 39 minutes in all five games against the Lakers.
Rookie Jaylen Clark, who’s never played a minute in the NBA, continues to be the only name on the T-Wolves’ injury report. In other words, Minnesota enters Game 2 fully healthy.
MIN vs DEN Player Props for Game 2
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three-Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Gordon (DEN) | 12.5 (Ov -102 | Un -118) | 6.5 (Ov +110 | Un -130) | 4.5 (Ov +102 | Un -122) | 0.5 (Ov +105 | Un -125) |
| Anthony Edwards (MIN) | 28.5 (Ov -125 | Un +105) | 5.5 (Ov -122 | Un +102) | 5.5 (Ov +114 | Un -135) | 2.5 (Ov -118 | Un -102) |
| Jaden McDaniels (MIN) | 8.5 (Ov -118 | Un -102) | 3.5 (Ov -135| Un +114) | OFF | 0.5 (Ov -142 | Un +120) |
| Jamal Murray (DEN) | 22.5 (Ov -102 | Un -118) | 3.5 (Ov -122 | Un +102) | 6.5 (Ov +114 | Un -135) | 2.5 (Ov +120 | Un -142) |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) | 18.5 (Ov -122 | Un +102) | 6.5 (Ov -135 | Un +114) | 2.5 (Ov -125 | Un +105) | 1.5 (Ov -148 | Un +124) |
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (DEN) | 8.5 (Ov -108 | Un -112) | 2.5 (Ov +114 | Un -135) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov -115 | Un -105) |
| Michael Porter Jr (MIN) | 18.5 (Ov +105 | Un -125) | 6.5 (Ov -142 | Un +120) | OFF | 2.5 (Ov -148 | Un +124) |
| Mike Conley (MIN) | 11.5 (Ov +105 | Un -125) | 2.5 (Ov -155 | Un +130) | 5.5 (Ov -120 | Un -100) | 2.5 (Ov +140 | Un -166) |
| Naz Reid (MIN) | 9.5 (Ov -125 | Un +105) | 3.5 (Ov +102 | Un -122) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov +110 | Un -130) |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker (MIN) | 6.5 (Ov -108 | Un -112) | OFF | OFF | 1.5 (Ov +114 | Un -135) |
| Nikola Jokic (DEN) | 29.5 (Ov -110 | Un -110) | 12.5 (Ov -130 | Un +110) | 8.5 (Ov -130 | Un +110) | 1.5 (Ov +136 | Un -162) |
| Rudy Gobert (MIN) | 11.5 (Ov -125 | Un +105) | 12.5 (Ov -105 | Un -115) | OFF | OFF |
NBA player props as of May 6 at DraftKings.
The player props for Game 2 show some notable shifts from Game 1. Jokic’s point total has been upped from 27.5 to 29.5. Edwards’ point total has also been increased from 27.5 to 28.5. Murray has gone down a point from 23.5 to 22.5. After grabbing 13 rebounds in Game 1 – one shy of his total of 13.5 – Gobert’s rebound total has come down to 12.5 for Game 2.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Predictions for Game 2
I understand the concept of a bounce-back game, and the Nuggets have a phenomenal track record on their home court over the last two-plus years, but my eyes tell me Minnesota is the better team right now. They have the personnel to contain Jokic and Murray is clearly not 100%. It wasn’t a fluke that they held Denver under 100 points in Game 1. The Timberwolves’ defense has been the best in the league all season, and they are fully healthy heading into Game 2.
I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Minnesota leaves Denver with a 2-0 series lead, signalling a changing of the guard in the West.
MIN vs DEN Game 2 picks:
- Timberwolves +5.5 (-110)
- Murray under 22.5 points (-118)
Sascha was a hockey player in his youth, a lawyer in his capricious mid-20s, and has been with SBD since 2014. He specializes in football, basketball, politics, baseball, and hockey.