The Denver Nuggets (12-23) will try to put an end to their six-game skid when they meet the Minnesota Timberwolves (12-23) at the Target Center. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Jan. 6 and can be seen on AL2 and FNo.
The Timberwolves are expecting a better outcome after their 109-99 loss to the 76ers on Monday. Shabazz Muhammad was the team’s leading scorer with 20 points. The Nuggets, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 112-106 loss against the Trail Blazers on Sunday. Danilo Gallinari led the game in scoring with 29 points.
The Nuggets lead the season series against the Timberwolves two games to one, including a 112-100 win the last time these two teams met. Karl-Anthony Towns had a standout performance with 18 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks in the loss.
The Timberwolves are a four-point favorite against Denver and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at 204 points. The Timberwolves come into this game 12-23 Straight Up (SU) and 14-20-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have the same record SU and ATS against divisional opponents, going 2-4. The Timberwolves are one of the best in the NBA in terms of free throws made, making an impressive 21.0 per game.
As for their opponent, the Nuggets have a record of 15-17-3 ATS and 12-23 SU. Against fellow division members, Denver has a 3-7 SU and a 4-6 ATS record. One advantage for the Nuggets could be Minnesota’s high fouls per game average of 22.7.
In their previous meeting this season, Denver beat Minnesota, bumping its SU record over the last 10 meetings to 6-4. Furthermore, the Nuggets hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Den, ATS Winner – Den, O/U – Over
Notes
Minnesota is 4-13-1 ATS in its last 18 games.
Minnesota is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 5 games at home.
Minnesota is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games at home.
Minnesota is 3-15-1 ATS in its last 19 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 6 games when playing Denver.
Minnesota is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Denver.
Minnesota is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games when playing Denver.
Minnesota is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Denver.
Minnesota is 3-14 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Denver.
Minnesota scores an average of 99.7 points per game (ranked 21st). Denver ranks 24th in points allowed per game with 104.2.
On average, Minnesota puts up 97.8 points per home game (ranked 27th), while Denver allows 103.8 points per away game (ranked 18th).
Minnesota has a 9-4 record when opponents score fewer than 100 points. Denver has yet to win a game in which it scores fewer than 100 (0-14).
At 3-19, the Minnesota Timberwolves have a subpar record when their opponents score at least 100 points. The Denver Nuggets are 12-9 when they put up triple digits.
The Nuggets have a defensive rating of 107.0 (ranked 27th). The Timberwolves rank 25th for their offensive rating of 101.4.
The Minnesota Timberwolves average 98.3 possessions per game and 1.014 points per possession, while the Denver Nuggets earn fewer possessions (97.5) but more points per possession (1.019).
The Minnesota Timberwolves average an effective field goal percentage of 47.9% this season. The Denver Nuggets have a losing record of 7-18 when opponents have an EFF% of 47.9% or greater.
Minnesota makes an average of 21.6 assists per game (ranked 15th). Denver ranks higher in assists with 22.3 (ranked 12th).
The Minnesota Timberwolves average 4.6 blocks per game for a rank of 19th. The Denver Nuggets rank higher (17th), earning 4.7 blocks each contest.
The Minnesota Timberwolves rank 22nd in offensive rebounding, while the Denver Nuggets rank 23rd in defensive rebounding.
The Minnesota Timberwolves average 7.8 steals per game. When giving up 7 or more steals, the Denver Nuggets have a poor record (8-15) this season.
