Nuggets vs Timberwolves
Thu, Dec 25
Final/OT
Nuggets
Nuggets
(21 - 8)
142
-
138
Timberwolves
Timberwolves
(20 - 10)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuggets | 32 | 25 | 35 | 23 | 27 | 142 |
| Timberwolves | 29 | 26 | 23 | 37 | 23 | 138 |
Venue: Ball Arena
GAME LEADERS
PTS
REB
AST
Nikola JokiÄ
DEN | #15 | C
56
16
15
Anthony Edwards
MIN | #5 | G
44
6
3
Smart Game Analysis
Denver Nuggets has a 54% chance of winning the game
Despite Denver's undefeated head-to-head record this season, the absence of three key rotation players creates a highly vulnerable spot for the Nuggets against a surging Timberwolves defense.
Key Analysis
- • Denver is missing starters Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle), plus key reserve Cam Johnson (knee), severely depleting their wing depth.
- • Nikola Jokic has dominated the matchup this season (2-0 record), utilizing his playmaking to dismantle Minnesota's twin-tower interior defense.
- • Minnesota boasts the 5th-best defensive rating (112.6) and faces a Nuggets defense that has slipped to 17th (116.3) and lacks its best perimeter defender.
- • The Timberwolves enter with momentum having won 4 of their last 5 games, while the Nuggets have dropped 2 of their last 3.
- • Denver leads the league in Offensive Rating (125.4) and 3P% (40.3%), giving them elite scoring punch even with a depleted roster.
- • Minnesota must capitalize on Anthony Edwards' scoring (28.7 PPG) against Denver's weakened perimeter defense to reverse their season series struggles.
