Timberwolves vs. Nuggets: Odds, injuries, and what to watch for

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a huge challenge in a Sunday matinee as they host Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets at Target Center.

The 5-3 Minnesota Timberwolves will host the 6-2 Denver Nuggets on Sunday afternoon at Target Center in Minneapolis in an exciting matchup between All-Stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Nikola Jokic.

Jokic has had a bit of a down season through the first eight games, averaging just 16.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game with field goal, 3-point, and free throw shooting percentages of .459/.265/.778 — all numbers that would be far below last year’s averages and his worst in every category since his rookie season.

For his part, Towns was the best player in the league over the first week but has come back down to earth somewhat since his two-game suspension following his spat with Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid. For the season, Towns is at 25.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game with a triple-slash of .500/.451/.692.

The Nuggets have been far better on defense than on offense so far in this young season, and that could be an issue for a Wolves team that have struggled to keep their offensive attack humming of late.

On the flip side, the Nuggets don’t rank in the top 10 in the NBA in any offensive category outside of turnovers, so the Wolves should be able to keep things close if they play solid defense and both Towns and Andrew Wiggins, who is coming off a 40-point performance in the win over Golden State, come to the party.

One other fun note: this game is the primetime game being broadcast across Europe, so there will be plenty of folks tuning in internationally.

Timberwolves odds against the Nuggets

• Favorite: Nuggets (+1)
• Over/under: 218
• Moneyline: -150 Denver/+130 Minnesota
• Odds courtesy of The Action Network. Displayed odds current as of Sunday at 8:00 a.m. CT.

Tickets, TV and streaming info for Timberwolves vs. Nuggets

• Television: Fox Sports North
• Radio: 830 WCCO
• Stream: Fubo.tv offers streaming options
• Tickets: StubHub offers ticketing options

What to watch for in Wolves vs. Nuggets

The first big question is whether or not Jeff Teague is available. If he isn’t the Wolves would figure to start Jarrett Culver and Andrew Wiggins in the backcourt once again and alternate which wing is initiating the offense.

The Nuggets have been led by Paul Millsap and Jamal Murray thus far this season with Jokic scuffling a little bit — although The Joker did knock down the game-winner at the buzzer against the 76ers on Friday night.

The Wolves will be challenged to check both Jokic and Millsap in the frontcourt while Murray and Will Barton do damage on the perimeter.

Injury Report

The Nuggets do not have any injuries listed.

For the third consecutive game, the Wolves have Napier listed as doubtful due to a hamstring strain while Teague (illness) and Bell (shoulder) are both listed as questionable. Fox Sports North reported during Friday’s game that Teague was around the team at shootaround, so perhaps he’ll be doing well enough to start on Sunday.

We’ll be back after Wolves-Nuggets with player grades and a quick rundown of what went well and what didn’t on Sunday afternoon.