NBA Playoff Preview: Nuggets vs Timberwolves

For a third time in four years, the NBA’s most dominant force will meet its most magnetic personality as Nikola Jokic and the betting favourite Denver Nuggets renew their rivalry against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Though, in the first two series between the pair, results were split – with Denver taking a first-round series in 2023 before Minnesota took a seven-game epic in round two in 2024 – it hasn’t been so even this year. The Nuggets enjoyed a 3-1 season series, and that recent success is illustrated in the NBA playoff odds. 

Denver Nuggets

Buoyed by yet another season of mastery out of Jokic, paired with the single best season of Jamal Murray’s career, the Nuggets spent the majority of the year jostling for position atop the conference with the Spurs and Thunder.

A mid-season blip, with Jokic out injured, led them out of that very top echelon – but a 12-game winning streak to end the year ensured they could manipulate their first-round matchup as they wanted. Curiously, they opted for a meeting against the Wolves, not the short-handed Lakers. 

Minnesota Timberwolves

Despite falling short of the NBA Finals in consecutive seasons, the back-to-back conference finalist Wolves seemed bored by success this regular season. A moody, enigmatic bunch – taking on the personality of Julius Randle’s Robin, as opposed to Anthony Edwards’ Batman – they’ve looked at times like a contender capable of beating anyone, and at other times like an unserious team destined for a quick exit. 

But, as Edwards has proved at every opportunity in his young career, he is a playoff riser. Just 24, he’s already taken out Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Steph Curry across four playoff series wins. 

Now, on the heels of Edwards’ best season individually – but most underwhelming as a team – he has the chance to make it two triumphs over the era’s defining force in Jokic.  

NBA Betting Series Odds 

Series odds at BET99 - Nuggets (-350) / Timberwolves (+265)

Series handicap at BET99 - Nuggets -1.5 (-135) / Timberwolves +1.5 (+110)

Series total games at BET99 - Over 5.5 (-135) / Under 5.5 (+110)

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Odds as of April 13, 2026.