Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Prediction & Match Preview - April 25th, 2023 | NBA Playoffs Game 5

Anthony Edwards vowed after the Minnesota Timberwolves lost Game 3 to the Denver Nuggets that he would not be swept. The first-time All-Star battled hard and carried his team to a hard-earned 114-108 overtime victory against the Nuggets on Sunday to force a Game 5 on Tuesday.

The Timberwolves barely survived in regulation when Denver launched a crippling 12-0 run down the stretch to force an extension. Nikola Jokic missed a crucial free throw during the Nuggets’ backbreaking run that could have won the game.

Anthony Edwards had a shot to win the game in the fourth quarter but was forced into a turnover by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker played a crucial role in the Minnesota Timberwolves' overtime win. He scored six of his eight points in the extra frame and helped contain Jamal Murray to just 19 points after a 40-point explosion in a 120-111 Game 3 win on Friday.

Minnesota barely walked away with a win on its home floor as Murray struggled. The Timberwolves will be hoping they’ve figured out the Denver Nuggets or they’ll go home after Game 5 is over.

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Where to watch

Game 5 of the first-round series between the Minnesota Timberwolves will start at 9 p.m. EDT. NBA TV will nationally televise the game while ALT and BSNX will handle local coverage.

The game can also be streamlined via the NBA League Pass.

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Game preview

Jamal Murray and Karl-Anthony Towns need to play better in Game 5 for the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, respectively.

The Minnesota Timberwolves won Game 4, but they also did almost everything that could have eliminated them in the series. They made too many costly turnovers, even unforced ones, when the Denver Nuggets pummeled them for 12 unanswered points to force overtime.

Anthony Edwards, who had 16 third-quarter points, couldn't get going in the final period. He didn’t attempt a shot until there were roughly five minutes left in the game. “Ant-Man” made a few clutch baskets in overtime but it felt like the Nuggets lost the game rather than the Timberwolves won it.

The Minnesota Timberwolves will have to play better in Game 5 to stay alive in this series. Minnesota coach Chris Finch has to find a way to get Karl-Anthony Towns going. “KAT” is averaging just 16.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in four games against the Denver Nuggets.

The self-proclaimed greatest big-man shooter is hitting just 27.8% of his 3-pointers, allowing Denver’s defense to just pack the paint. For the Timberwolves to force the series to return to Minnesota, they will need Towns to get going.

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Game prediction

Spread: Nuggets (-9.5)

Total (O/U): 221.5

Moneyline: Timberwolves (+320) vs. Nuggets (-405)

The Denver Nuggets missed a golden opportunity to score their first postseason sweep in franchise history. They will be content with a win on Tuesday night to book a place in the semifinal round.

Jamal Murray struggled in Game 4 and will be looking to have a big night in front of the Nuggets’ home crowd.

The Minnesota Timberwolves stayed alive with a crucial win, but Denver looks like the superior team even after the recent loss.

Denver Nuggets 115, Minnesota Timberwolves 108