The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves are tied 1–1 in their playoff series. Game 3 takes place at the Target Center on April 23, 2026, at 9:30 PM. Both teams are from the Western Conference and are aiming to take the lead in this best-of-7 series.
Denver, coached by David Adelman, has a regular season record of 54-28. They come off a recent loss to Minnesota, 119-114. The Timberwolves, led by Chris Finch, finished their regular season at 49-33. They secured their last win against the Nuggets, looking to carry that momentum into Game 3.
Denver Nuggets Team Preview
The Denver Nuggets have had a strong start in the 2026 postseason. Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray are leading the team in scoring. Jokić averages 24.5 points, while Murray adds 30 points per game.
The team has a high free throw percentage, making 84.1% of their attempts. They lead in free throws made and attempted per game. This strength at the line is key in close games.
In their recent loss to the Timberwolves, Jokić scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Murray was the top scorer with 30 points. Their ability to score and assist is vital for the Nuggets’ success.
Minnesota Timberwolves Team Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off a win against the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. They scored 119 points and made 47.8% of their shots. Anthony Edwards was key in this game with 30 points and 10 rebounds.
In their previous game, they lost to the Nuggets by 11 points. Despite the loss, Anthony Edwards stood out again with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Rudy Gobert added 17 points and 10 rebounds in this game.
During the regular season, Anthony Edwards was the top scorer for the Timberwolves with an average of 28.8 points per game. Julius Randle also contributed with 21.1 points per game. The team is ranked 6th in points per game in the postseason, averaging 112.0 points.
Betting Prediction
The Nuggets have been strong in scoring, with 115 points per game in the postseason. They rank first in possessions per game, which means they have many chances to score. The Timberwolves, however, allow 115 points per game, which is high.
Both teams have similar three-point and field goal stats, but the Nuggets get more free throws. They lead the league in free throws made and attempted per game. This could be a key advantage against the Timberwolves’ defense.
The Nuggets’ defense is also solid, allowing only 112 points per game. They are good at blocking shots, with 1 block per game, ranking first. The Timberwolves will find it tough to score against this defense.
- Pick: Nuggets -2.0
