The NBA’s 2025 Christmas slate concludes with a set of acquainted opponents. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets have been constructed by the identical normal supervisor, Tim Connelly. They confronted off within the 2024 playoffs, the place Minnesota ended Denver’s championship protection with a second-round upset. Yearly, they appear to play in a thriller or two. Final yr, the Timberwolves stole a double additional time victory on a horrible Russell Westbrook taking pictures foul.
Neither staff is kind of at its peak. Denver continues to be coping with accidents to Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun. Minnesota continues to be adjusting to life with out Nickeil Alexander-Walker. However these are nonetheless each Western Convention contenders, and any sport between the 2 of them is a deserving marquee regular-season occasion. Under is our choose towards the unfold in addition to the most effective prop wager for the Christmas finale.
Daring predictions for every NBA Christmas Day sport: Thunder-Spurs rigidity, a Curry flurry and extra
Jack Maloney
Timberwolves at Nuggets: The place to observe
- Time: 10:30 p.m. ET | Date: Thursday, Dec. 25
- Location: Ball Area — Denver
- TV channel: ABC/ESPN | Stay stream: fubo (Attempt totally free)
- Odds: Nuggets -3.5, O/U: 238.5 (through BetMGM)
Timberwolves at Nuggets: Prediction, odds, finest bets
Denver’s depth has improved considerably this season, however the accidents are simply turning into an excessive amount of to beat towards a terrific opponent like Minnesota. Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun are nonetheless out, and on Tuesday, Cam Johnson suffered a knee damage that we do not know the extent of but, however ought to depart Denver with no third starter for not less than some time period. The Timberwolves at all times stand up for Nuggets video games they usually’ve now gained 10 of their final 12, together with assertion wins over the Knicks and Thunder. They’re the safer choose with the factors. The Decide: Timberwolves +3.5
I am going to admit my intuition was to select Nikola Jokić’s scoring over to account for his lacking teammates, however no staff limits his shot complete higher than Minnesota. Outdoors of his 61-point gem final season, which got here with out Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. and took two overtimes, Jokić has averaged simply 15.4 shot makes an attempt per sport towards Minnesota over the previous two common seasons. So I am going the opposite method and anticipating a extra balanced offensive night time for the three-time MVP. The Decide: Jokić Underneath 29.5 Factors
