The Denver Nuggets will host the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena for Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round in the NBA Playoffs. Denver leads the series 1-0 after their win in the first game. The game will start at 10:30 PM on Monday, April 20, 2026, and will be broadcast on NBC.
In the first game, Denver won 116-105. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 30 points, while Nikola Jokić added a triple-double. For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards scored 22 points, but they fell short. Both teams are looking to perform well as they continue their playoff journey.
Minnesota Timberwolves Team Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been busy in their recent games. They recently played the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round. Unfortunately, they lost by 11 points, with a score of 105-116. Anthony Edwards led the team with 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in that game.
Before facing the Nuggets, the Timberwolves won against the New Orleans Pelicans at home. The score was 132-126. Joan Beringer was a standout with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Terrence Shannon Jr. also played well, scoring 26 points.
The Timberwolves have an offense that averages 105 points per game in the postseason. They rank first in possessions per game, which helps them get more shots. Their defense allows 116 points per game. They are strong in blocking shots, averaging 3 per game, ranking fourth in the league.
Denver Nuggets Team Preview
The Denver Nuggets are coming off a strong win in their first playoff game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They scored 116 points and shot 43.7% from the field. Nikola Jokić was the top performer with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Throughout the season, the Nuggets have been effective on offense, averaging 116 points per game. They lead the league in possessions per game and free throws made. Their defensive stats are solid as well, allowing just 105 points per game, ranking them seventh in the league.
Key players like Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray have been consistent contributors. Jokić averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game during the regular season. Meanwhile, Jamal Murray added 25.4 points and 7.1 assists per game. Peyton Watson is out with a hamstring injury, which might impact their depth.
Betting Prediction
The Nuggets have a strong offense, scoring 116 points per game. This ranks them 6th in the league. Their free throw shooting is also excellent, making 30 free throws per game at a 90.9% rate.
Defensively, the Nuggets allow only 105 points per game, ranking 7th. They also block 1 shot per game, ranking them 2nd. These stats show they can limit opponents’ scoring opportunities.
The Timberwolves score 105 points per game, which ranks them 15th. They allow 116 points per game, ranking 15th in defense. With these numbers, the Nuggets have a good chance of covering the -6.5 spread.
- Pick: Nuggets -6.5
