The best rivalry in the NBA is well on its way to putting together a spectacular finale to a postseason trilogy. The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves have now met three times in the last four postseasons, and Minnesota’s Game 2 upset made it clear this series should be every bit as intriguing and chaotic as the previous two.
My Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions and these NBA picks anticipate a tense Game 3 on Thursday, April 23, but that tension underscores one player’s postseason habits.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves prediction
Nuggets vs Timberwolves best bet: Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 rebounds (-120)
Game 2 shifted when Anthony Edwards stopped relying on his jumpers and began driving into the paint. His knee is clearly in pain, but the greater issue may simply be that the Minnesota Timberwolves’ superstar is a bit rusty after missing all but three games in the season’s final month.
He went 5-of-20 from deep in the first two games of this series, and no one is foolish enough to give much credit for that to the Denver Nuggets’ defense. Edwards is simply not shooting well right now.
But he is playing thoroughly, as he always does in the postseason. He grabbed nine rebounds in Game 1 and then 10 in Game 2, fitting a long-time playoffs pattern.
As the Timberwolves reached the Western Conference Finals in each of the last two springs, Edwards crashed the glass more and more aggressively. Two years ago, he averaged 5.4 rebounds per game in the regular season; in the playoffs, that climbed to 7.0 while grabbing at least six boards in 10 of 16 games.
Last year, Edwards averaged 5.7 rebounds per game in the regular season; in the playoffs, that climbed to 7.8 while grabbing at least six rebounds in 12 of 15 games.
No one should be surprised Edwards is finding the glass in the postseason. Hammer this prop until it reaches 7.0, if not 7.5.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account
Nuggets vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
Donte DiVincenzo received Anthony Edwards’s favorite compliment after Game 2. The Covers.com editorial desk will probably publish that Edwards said DiVincenzo has “gorilla nuts.” Hitting 4-of-7 threes while scoring 16 points certainly earned that praise.
More pertinently, DiVincenzo has excelled with added rest this season. He has played four games on three days' rest, shooting 46.4% from deep in those chances. That may be a small sample size, but 13-of-28 from beyond the arc is rather notable.
The good news for Minnesota is that those shots should take 3-pointers away from Jaden McDaniels, whose deep shooting has fallen off a cliff late this season. He shot 29.5% from beyond the arc in March and then went 1-of-8 in two regular-season games in April. Worse yet, he went 0-of-7 from deep in the first two games of this series.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves SGP
- Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 rebounds
- Donte DiVincenzo Over 11.5 points
- Jaden McDaniels Under 1.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: A rested Jokic
Nikola Jokic found a lot of the front of the rim in Game 2’s second half. Playing 40 minutes in two games in three nights can have that exhausting effect.
But now Jokic has three days to recover, will be playing with more oxygen in the air, and is undoubtedly aggravated that Rudy Gobert got the better of him in Monday’s fourth quarter.
Game 3 should be a Jokic showcase, even if the game’s overall defense drastically improves thanks to the added day between games.
Nuggets vs Timberwolves SGP
- Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 rebounds
- Nikola Jokic Over 29.5 points
- Under 234
Nuggets vs Timberwolves odds for Game 3
- Spread: Nuggets -2 | Timberwolves +2
- Moneyline: Nuggets -135 | Timberwolves +115
- Over/Under: Over 234 | Under 234
Nuggets vs Timberwolves betting trend to know
The Minnesota Timberwolves have hit the Game Total Under in 24 of their last 35 games at home (+11.90 Units / 31% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 3
| Location | Target Center, Minneapolis, MN |
| Date | Thursday, April 23, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Prime Video |
Nuggets vs Timberwolves latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
