Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction For Game 3: Denver Favored On the Road
Updated July 9, 2026
Game 3 between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves shifts the series to Minneapolis with everything level at 1-1. Denver handled business in one of the first two games at home, but Minnesota answered with a defensive adjustment that slowed Nikola Jokic late in Game 2. Now the Timberwolves return to Target Center, where they have been strong all season, while the Nuggets enter as slight road favorites. Here, I break down Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 3 and make my prediction for it in the betting markets.
This series has already delivered swings in each direction. Denver entered as the higher seed with a 54-28 record, while Minnesota finished 49-33, yet the gap has not been obvious on the floor. Minnesota’s defensive approach in Game 2 forced Jokic into a quieter fourth quarter, showing that Rudy Gobert can alter Denver’s offense when positioned correctly. That adjustment alone adds intrigue heading into Game 3.
Another major angle is pace and scoring. The total is set around 234.5, one of the highest numbers on the playoff slate, which reflects the level of offensive talent on both ends of the floor in this matchup. The question will be whether or not Gobert and the Wolves can slow Jokic at all in this game, or if the Joker will find a way to make winning plays this time around.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Denver Nuggets
Minnesota’s defensive adjustments late in Game 2 appeared meaningful, especially with Gobert influencing Jokic’s efficiency in key moments. At home, the Timberwolves should benefit from the energy of their crowd, while Edwards remains the most explosive scorer on the floor. Denver still carries the higher offensive ceiling due to Jokic’s all-around production, but the margin between these teams is slim. I'll take the Wolves to win at home to go up 2-1 in this best-of-seven series.
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