Steve Starr
- Go to BetOnline or Bovada for the latest odds on the Nuggets vs Timberwolves matchup
- Denver is a 9-point home favorite and the game’s over/under sits at 221.5 points
- NBATV airs Game 5 from Ball Arena in Denver, CO on Tuesday, April 25 at 9:00pm ET
Minnesota barely staved off elimination on Sunday, defeating the Nuggets 114-108 in overtime to force a Game 5. Denver went on a 12-0 run at the end of the fourth quarter to tie the game, but the Timberwolves bounced back in the extra frame to secure their first win of the series.
Will Nikola Jokic and the Nugs bounce back at home on Tuesday? Before we look at the Game 5 line, check out the latest 2023 NBA Playoff Betting Odds and our guide to betting on NBA basketball.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves – Game 5
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +9.0 (-110) | +330 | Ov 221.5 (-110) |
| Denver Nuggets | -9.0 (-110) | -410 | Un 221.5 (-110) |
Ant Man’s big performance
Anthony Edwards registered 34 points, six rebounds and five assists in the Wolves’ 114-108 Game 5 triumph, hitting a 3-pointer with 11.1 seconds remaining to secure the victory. Karl-Anthony Towns (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Rudy Gobert (14 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks) also had their best performances of the series. However, neither could contain Nikola Jokic.
The two-time NBA MVP tied a postseason career high with 43 points, along with 11 rebounds and six assists. Jokic also had an opportunity to close out the series in the waning seconds of the fourth-quarter but clanked one of his two free throws.
ANTHONY EDWARDS CLUTCH. 🔥🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 24, 2023
Denver still in control
Denver missed their chance to sweep a playoff series for the first time in franchise history. The loss was mostly self inflicted. They registered their worst shooting percentages of the series, going 44.2% from the field and 12 of 35 from beyond the arc.
While the Nuggets wasted a majestic performance by their Serbian center, the rest of their roster was mediocre in Game 4. For instance, Jamal Murray finished with just 19 points. Expect the Canadian to play much better back at home. He lit up Ball Arena with 40 points in Game 2 after putting up 24 with eight rebounds and eight assists in Game 1.
Denver vs Minnesota
Denver is a 9-point home favorite on Tuesday night. Michael Malone’s squad registered a 29-point win in the series opener at home and a 9-point victory in Game 2. During the regular season, the Nuggets (35-7) tied Memphis for the best home mark in the NBA with a 26-15-1 record against the spread. Minnesota failed to cover in the first two matchups in the Mile High City, but was a respectable 21-21 ATS as the visiting club in 2022-23.
The over/under for Game 5 is set at 221.5 points. The past three meetings in this series have exceeded that total. Although, the two clubs managed only 189 points in Game 1 in Denver.
The Nuggets called timeout with 2:50 remaining down 96-84. They went on a 12-0 run to tie the game and force overtime.
Of those 12 points, Nikola Jokic scored or assisted on all of them. pic.twitter.com/jp8WweKD57
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 24, 2023
Best Bet
Oddsmakers believe Nuggets in 5 (-425) is fait accompli. If you believe Minnesota might steal one on the road, consider Nuggets in 6 (+550) instead of the +330 Timberwolves moneyline.
That said, we can’t imagine Denver not closing out the series in Game 5. Take Nikola and the Nugs to cover the 9 points on Tuesday and advance to play Phoenix in the Western Conference semifinals.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
