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Timberwolves vs Nuggets prediction NBA · Sunday, March 7

Sun, Mar 7 · 3:30 PM ETBall Arena · ABC
57% win MINwin DEN 43%
FavoriteMIN
Projected margin2.1
Projected total231
ConfidenceLow

At a glance

The Denver Nuggets (2-2) host the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2) on Sunday, March 7 at 3:30 PM ET at Ball Arena in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Timberwolves a 57% chance to win and projects a 117-115 score (Timberwolves – Nuggets), about 231 total points. This season, the Nuggets are 1-1 at home and the Timberwolves are 2-1 on the road. Since the start of the season: 2-2 for the Nuggets and 3-2 for the Timberwolves (current streaks: Nuggets W1, Timberwolves L2). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 31% of cases according to the model. Reported injuries: Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Donte DiVincenzo (Timberwolves), Cameron Johnson (Nuggets), Spencer Jones (Nuggets), Alpha Diallo (Nuggets) and Julian Strawther (Nuggets). Prediction confidence: low.

The analysis Model

A wide-open game: the model barely separates the two teams. The model projects Nuggets 115 – 117 Timberwolves, a margin of about 2.1 points in favor of the Timberwolves and a total around 231 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace. The Nuggets will be without Cameron Johnson or Spencer Jones (and 2 others). The Timberwolves will be without Anthony Edwards or Donte DiVincenzo. Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.

  • The Nuggets need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
  • The Timberwolves' defense allows clearly fewer points (112.6 pts/game).

What tips the balance

In points, positive = edge Nuggets
Team strength (adjusted point differential)DEN +2.6 / MIN +5.2 per game
-2.6
Home-court advantageNuggets at home
+2.3
InjuriesDEN: 4 out, 0 questionable · MIN: 2 out, 0 questionable
-1.8
Expected marginfor Nuggets
-2.1

Scenarios

Nuggets win by 10+
17%
Close game (margin ≤ 5)
31%
Timberwolves win by 10+
26%

Stat comparison Current season

MINDEN
118.7
Points scored / game
119.2
112.6
Points allowed / game
116.2
47.3 %
Field goal %
45.8 %
38.4 %
3-point %
32.8 %
40.6
3-pointers attempted / game
34.3
62.7 %
Free throw %
79.6 %
51.6
Rebounds / game
44.5
27.0
Assists / game
26.0
9.2
Steals / game
10.0
4.4
Blocks / game
4.8
16.2
Turnovers / game
15.3

Players to watch

Timberwolves
Anthony EdwardsG · #533.2pts / game
LaMelo BallG · #16.6assists
Rudy GobertC · #2712.2rebounds
Nuggets
Jamal MurrayG · #2722.5pts / game
Nikola JokicC · #159.0assists
Nikola JokicC · #1510.5rebounds

Recent form

Last 5 games (including preseason early in the season)
MIN
WMIA131-106WORL115-93WTOR117-94LCLE127-125 OTLGS119-114
DEN
WLAL121-106LOKC96-84WNO141-135 OTLGS134-114WNO104-91

Second opinion

Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.

Basketlog
MIN 57% · DEN 43%
ESPN BPI
MIN 52% · DEN 48%

✓ Both models pick the same favorite.

Team comparison

MINDEN
3-2Record2-2
118.7Points scored / game119.2
112.6Points allowed / game116.2
+5.2Adjusted margin / game+2.6
L2Current streakW1
3-2Last 10 games2-2
2-1 roadHome / road record1-1 home
49-33 (+3.4)Last season54-28 (+5.2)
NoPlayed yesterdayNo

Minnesota Timberwolves Injury report Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards GOut
Donte DiVincenzo GOut

Denver Nuggets Injury report Nuggets

Cameron Johnson FOut
Spencer Jones FOut
Alpha Diallo FOut
Julian Strawther GOut

Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.