Timberwolves vs Nuggets 2023 Playoffs Preview (Odds, Season Series and All-Time History)

The 2023 NBA Playoffs are here, and there are several exciting matchups to look forward to. One series fans have circled is the 1-seed Denver Nuggets taking on the 8-seed Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.

These two sides have plenty of history together, especially from competing in the same division. Here's everything you need to know before they square off this postseason.

Timberwolves vs Nuggets All-Time Playoff History

The Timberwolves and Nuggets have played five playoff games against each other before the 2023 postseason. Minnesota owns the all-time lead in this matchup, winning 4-1 in their only previous playoff series meeting.

The first and only time that the Timberwolves and Nuggets collided in the playoffs was back in the first round of the 2003-04 postseason. Minnesota hardly broke a sweat in the series, eliminating Denver in five games, helped by the T-Wolves winning all three games in Minnesota.

Timberwolves-Nuggets Season Series 2023

As division rivals, the Timberwolves and Nuggets faced off four times against each other during the 2022-23 campaign. Despite how separated both sides were in the standings, the season series was quite even.

The Timberwolves opened things up with a 124-111 victory at home on Jan. 2, only for the Nuggets to exact revenge with a 122-118 effort at Ball Arena just 16 days later.

The two sides then met twice in a three-day span in early February. Minnesota dominated with a 128-98 effort at Target Center on Feb. 5, but couldn't capitalize on the momentum. Denver then blew its rivals out on Feb. 7, winning 146-112 at Ball Arena.

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Timberwolves vs Nuggets Odds and Prediction for 2023 Playoff Series

After an even regular-season series, the Nuggets are the heavy favorites to advance to the next postseason round, per FanDuel Sportsbook's NBA odds. Denver is currently available as the -500 favorite while Minnesota sits at an unfavorable +385 odds. The sportsbook also expects it to be a quick series, favoring it to end in five games at +185.

Being the No. 1 seed obviously gives the Nuggets a clear advantage. After all, Denver has won eight of its last 10 encounters with Minnesota at Ball Arena — including both this year by an average margin of 20 points. Even if the T-Wolves play well at home, their lack of success in the Mile High City can't be ignored.

The Timberwolves will also be down two key players for the series. Jaden McDaniels is still out with a fractured hand from punching a wall while Naz Reid is sidelined indefinitely after undergoing wrist surgery earlier this month. Both men are important to Minnesota's defense, so there's no doubt that their absence will be felt.

Considering how the T-Wolves barely escaped the Play-In Tournament, I see the Nuggets making quick work of them in this series. Back Denver to advance in five (+185).

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

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