Nuggets favored in playoff clash vs. Wolves

The Denver Nuggets, finishing the regular season with an impressive 12-game winning streak, are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. This marks the third playoff meeting between these teams in four years, with Minnesota having won their previous encounter in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Despite a recent knee injury, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is anticipated to be available for Saturday's Game 1.

The Nuggets, holding a 27-9 record with Aaron Gordon participating this season, are considered favorites in the matchup. They showcased a strong home performance with a 28-13 record during the 2025-26 regular season. Denver's offense, which led the NBA with 122.1 points per game and the best offensive rating, is expected to perform well at home. The team's offensive rating significantly increases when Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon share the court.

Minnesota, the No. 6 seed in the West, enters the series with defensive struggles since the All-Star break, ranking 11th in defensive rating and 18th in net rating. The Nuggets aim to leverage their offensive strength, having scored over 120 points in three of their four regular-season meetings against the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards, who averaged 3.4 made 3-pointers per game during the regular season, is a prop bet target due to Denver's 21st-ranked defensive rating against the three-point shot.