Timberwolves vs. Nuggets NBA expert prediction and odds for Friday, March 29 (Back Minnesota as an underdog)

First place in the Western Conference is on the line in Colorado Friday night when the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. These two teams met for the first time in over four months just 10 days ago, with the Nuggets pulling out a 115-112 win on the road. 

Minnesota has stayed afloat despite the loss to Karl-Anthony Towns, winning six of its last seven games with the aforementioned three-point shortcoming to the Nuggets March 19 as its only loss. Denver had a four-game winning streak snapped in Wednesday’s 104-97 home loss to Phoenix and looks to bounce back against the Timberwolves with injury concerns on both sides. 

Here’s the betting preview of the marquee matchup with a best bet. 

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Timberwolves vs. Nuggets odds, spread and total

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets how to watch

• Date: Friday, March 29 
• Game time: 9 p.m. EST
• Venue: Ball Arena
• How to watch (TV): Bally Sports
• Timberwolves record: 50-22 
• Nuggets record: 51-22

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets injury report

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Rudy Gobert (rib sprain): questionable
• Anthony Edwards (back): questionable

Denver Nuggets

• Zeke Nnaji (thigh): out
• Nikola Jokic (back/hip): probable
• Jamal Murray (knee): questionable 

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets key players to watch

Minnesota Timberwolves

Naz Reid: The undrafted, 6-foot-9 center is making the most of an increased role with Towns on the sideline. Reid is averaging 13.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game and has scored 20-plus points in three of his last five outings. Reid has turned in back-to-back double-doubles, combining for 41 points and 22 rebounds. He’s also made multiple three or more 3-pointers in six of the last 10 games. 

Denver Nuggets

Michael Porter Jr.: Over the last two months, Porter is averaging 19.1 points per game and is shooting a blistering 57.1% from the field in March. Porter, at 16.9 points and 7 rebounds per game for the year, had 18 points and 8 boards in Wednesday’s loss to Philadelphia. 

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets prediction and pick

Minnesota is in a rare spot as the Timberwolves are not used to catching points. Minnesota is 20-17 ATS on the road this season and the reigning-champion Nuggets haven’t been a juggernaut as a home favorite (17-17-1 ATS). 

It looks like Jamal Murray is going to miss a fourth consecutive game and it’s no surprise the Nuggets’ offense is drastically undermanned and lacks firepower without him in the lineup. Over the last three games, Denver is averaging 103.6 points per game with Jokic leading the way with his all-around contributions. 

That spells trouble in Friday’s matchup against a Minnesota defense that is No. 1 in net rating and is No. 3 in the NBA in road scoring defense, permitting 109.6 points per game. Murray’s 18 point, 11-assist double-double was a big reason Denver was able to pull out a road win over Minnesota March 19.

Even with questionable tags for Edwards and Gobert on the Timberwolves side, they are expected to play and the jump made by Reid continues to make Minnesota’s defense one of the best in the league.

With Denver’s offensive struggles without Murray, it’s hard to see the Nuggets pulling away from a time that’s out for revenge and hungry to climb back to the top of the Western Conference standings. Take the points. 

Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.