Timberwolves vs Nuggets NBA Handicapping
What’s happened to the Timberwolves?
Just two weeks ago they were living large and enjoying the spoils of a 14-9 record. Four wins in a row had moved them into second place (behind Oklahoma City) in the Northwest Division, and with Ricky Rubio’s return on the horizon, things were finally looking up for the franchise.
Minnesota Timberwolves (14-14) at Denver Nuggets (18-15)
Thursday, Jan. 3
Pepsi Center, Denver
9 p.m. EST
Spread – Nuggets -7
O/U – 203.5 at TopBet.eu
Check Out Ray’s NBA Plays Today!
Today the T-Wolves are sucking wind, losers of three of the last four and five of the last seven. They need to figure out a way to win in Denver tonight to avoid falling under .500, and just for the record Minnesota has lost 20 of its last 23 against the Nuggets and hasn’t won in Denver (five straight losses) in several years.
Minnesota is coming of a bad loss in Utah – the Jazz pulled away after a close first period and won by 22. Kevin Love was 4-for-14 from the floor, missed all four of his 3-point tries. His teammates weren’t much better.
CLICK GRAB OUR BEST Expert NBA Picks for 2012 BASKETBALL GAMBLING season!
The Timberwolves shot a combined 34.5 percent from the field and just 2-for-17 from beyond the arc.
That Jazz loss added to a string of mediocre offensive performances. Minnesota hasn’t scored 100 points in a game since Dec. 15, and the T-Wolves needed overtime to do it then.[ad-6571516]
Ricky Rubio’s return from knee surgery was supposed to give the Timberwolves’ offense a boost, but Rubio’s return was short-circuited by a back injury and the flashy PG is not even with the team in Denver.
None of that is good news – except maybe for the Nuggets, who are on a high after ending the Clippers’ long winning streak and are settling in for a long stretch at home (they have only three road games in January).
Love will more than have his hands full tonight because the Nuggets are one of the best rebounding teams in the league and have a balanced offense in which six players average in double figures.
Free NBA PICK
The Nuggets just have too much going for them tonight to not nail this one. Minnesota could get a back-door cover if George Karl empties the bench too soon, but that’s not too likely as the Nuggets have Friday off to rest before the Jazz come in on Saturday. Totals players should take a long look at an under play here.
The Timberwolves haven’t scored more than 24 points in five straight quarters, and Denver has been having a little trouble on the offensive end (92 and 72 in their last two).
