The opening matchup in the NBA playoffs’ second round is arguably the most captivating potential pairing.

The defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have captured the admiration of NBA fans, particularly through their standout guard, Anthony Edwards. The action kicks off on Saturday in a best-of-seven series between the Western Conference’s second and third seeds.

During the regular season, Denver and Minnesota split their four encounters. The Nuggets secured 57 victories, earning them the No. 2 seed, while the Timberwolves trailed closely with 56 wins.

As per FanDuel, the Nuggets are currently favored at -205 to triumph in the eagerly anticipated series.

Strategizing How Anthony Edwards and the Wolves Could Cause an Upset
If there’s any team well-equipped to challenge Denver across all facets of the game, it’s the Timberwolves. With their size and defensive prowess, they pose a significant threat to the Nuggets.

In Rudy Gobert, a leading candidate for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award, Minnesota has a formidable matchup against reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic. Additionally, Karl-Anthony Towns, another 7-footer, provides further defensive strength against the two-time MVP.

While Denver’s Jamal Murray proved troublesome for the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, he didn’t face the challenge of contending with a 6-9 wing defender like Jaden McDaniels. Minnesota’s size advantage allows them to effectively counter the Nuggets’ dynamic pick-and-roll plays involving Jokic and Murray.

Strategies for Sustaining Momentum for the Nuggets
Denver maintained the second-best home record in the NBA this season, boasting an impressive 33-8 record. This success carried over into the first round of the playoffs, where they secured three wins at home. In last year’s first-round matchup against Minnesota, the Nuggets displayed proficiency from beyond the arc, shooting 38.9% on 3-pointers. While Nikola Jokic is expected to excel inside, the ability to create high-quality perimeter shots and convert them is crucial, especially against a defensive-minded team like Minnesota, which is adept at protecting the paint.

Nuggets vs Timberwolves: Who wins?

Edwards averaged 31.6 points against the Nuggets in last year’s first-round matchup. If he’s able to duplicate that performance, the reigning champs are in trouble. Denver trusts only its starting lineup, while Minnesota has Naz Reid as the Sixth Man of the Year and Nickeil Alexander-Walker as essentially an extra starter. Denver has home court, but Minnesota has more depth and a better defense.