The defending champions head into the second round as the series favorite, and rightfully so.

The Nuggets have the best player in the league in Nikola Jokic, and also that cold-blooded

shooter, Jamal Murray who hit two buzzer-beating winners vs the Lakers. Denver also has the

championship experience. But don’t count out the Timberwolves who have played extremely

well as they swept the Suns to advance to the second round. These teams met in the opening

round last season with Denver moving on in five games but the Timberwolves are a much

different team than they were in 2023.

Center of Attention: Jokic vs Gobert

It’s one of the most intriguing matchups of the playoffs. A three-time Defensive Player of the

Year taking on two-time MVP, and one of the most complete centers of all time. Nikola Jokic

has had success against Rudy Gobert this season, including in their April 10th meeting where

the Nuggets big man put up 41 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. And in the four regular

season meetings, Joker averaged 33 points and 12 boards against Gobert. While Jokic is near

a triple-double average in the playoffs, he also turns the ball over just over three times a game,

something Gobert will try to expose.

Key Players to Watch

Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards is putting the league on notice that he is the next superstar and his play in the

playoffs is backing up that claim. The 22-year old was on beast mode against the Suns

averaging 31 points, 8 boards and 6 assists while shooting 51%. In Game 4 Edwards went off,

dropping 40 points against his childhood idol, Kevin Durant. The Nuggets better find a way to

slow him down or this could be a series where Edwards takes it to another level.

Nuggets

While you’d think Jamal Murray would be the guy here, we’re going to take a different approach.

Despite dealing with family issues (Brother sentenced to jail in car crash, while another

suspended for life in the NBA for gambling) Michael Porter Jr. was a big part of Denver’s

success against the Lakers. Porter averaged almost 23 points and shot almost 49% from

beyond the arc.

Who Wins?

After dominating the Suns, Minnesota proved it is a major contender to move into the final four.

Just like most NBA playoff series, it will come down to which team’s stars will show up.

Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns are the young guns while Jokic and Murray are proven playoff

performers who have been here before. All four are capable of making the big shot. And this

looks like a series that could go the distance.

SERIES ODDS

Timberwolves +165

Nuggets -190

SEASON SERIES

The two teams split the four games they played, alternating wins in every game. And don’t be

surprised if we see something similar in this 7-game series.

Nov. 1, 2023: Timberwolves 110, Nuggets 89

March 19, 2024: Nuggets 115, Timberwolves 112

March 29, 2024: Wolves 111, Nuggets 98

April 10, 2024: Nuggets 116, Wolves 107

SERIES SCHEDULE

Game 1: Wolves vs. Nuggets, Saturday, May 4

Game 2: Wolves vs. Nuggets, Monday, May 6

Game 3: Nuggets vs. Wolves, Friday, May 10

Game 4: Nuggets vs. Wolves, Sunday, May 12

Game 5: Wolves vs. Nuggets, Tuesday, May 14 *

Game 6: Nuggets vs. Wolves, Thursday, May 16 *

Game 7: Wolves vs. Nuggets, Sunday, May 19 *