The Timberwolves have seized control of their conference after winning the first two games on the road against the reigning champion Denver Nuggets. Following a decisive 106-80 victory in Game 2, sportsbooks have now positioned the Timberwolves as clear favorites to win this second-round series and advance to the conference finals. BetMGM has set their odds at -115, with Minnesota also heavily favored at -550 to end Denver’s hopes of a repeat as they return home to play in Minneapolis, where the Nuggets have historically struggled.
Should the Timberwolves dispatch the Nuggets, they will face the winner of the Thunder vs. Mavericks series, where they’ll likely be favored by a considerable margin.
Minnesota has dominated throughout the playoffs, maintaining a perfect 6-0 record and winning each game by at least six points, with four of those victories being double-digit wins. BetMGM has them at +300 to win the NBA Finals, trailing only the Boston Celtics at +110. If the Timberwolves continue their impressive postseason run, it’s possible they could even overtake the Celtics as the favorites to win the championship.
That said, Minnesota still has to get through Denver, a team with championship pedigree. Winning the first two games on the road has given the Timberwolves a strong advantage, especially since the Nuggets have lost four of their last five games in Minneapolis. This bodes well for Minnesota, especially with Anthony Edwards emerging as a star during these playoffs. Edwards has racked up 70 points in the first two games against the Nuggets, with a remarkable 43-point performance in Game 1. He’s averaging 32.3 points per game in the postseason, a notable jump from his regular season average of 25.9.
Not only is Edwards shining, but Minnesota is also dominating the paint—a significant achievement considering they’re up against two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Across the first two games, the Timberwolves have outscored the Nuggets in the paint by a significant margin, scoring 104 points compared to Denver’s 76.
Game 3 is set for Friday, and with the Timberwolves returning to their home court, all signs point to them continuing their impressive run and putting even more pressure on the reigning champions.
