AMEDEUS' NBA HARDCOURT HAMMER!
(NBA) Minnesota vs. Denver,
Point Spread: -5.50 | -109.00 Denver (Home)
Result: Loss
The Timberwolves are coming into this game with a 1-0 lead in the series and they have now won their last 5 straight games in the playoffs after sweeping the Suns in the last round as well, covering the spread in all 5 of these games as well. The Timberwolves won game 1 of this series on the road to take the home advantage in this series but they were always going to push hard to win that game after losing 4-1 in the series to the Nuggets last season. Now it is the Nuggets turn to push hard here as they are down 1-0 in the series, and they are going to push hard to even the series at home as they are 33-8 there and do not want to fall down 2-0 going into Minnesota. The Nuggets did beat the Timberwolves just a few weeks ago in the regular season by 9 points at home. That was a game that Towns was missing in but now the Nuggets will be able to adjust to the Timberwolves healthy lineup after that loss and they are going to come with a much better response here. The Nuggets have been very good at home this season but they have been even better in this situation when coming off of a loss there. They are 7-1 ATS this season right after a home loss and they are also a perfect 6-0 ATS over the last 3 seasons right after losing at home to a division rival. Not only have they been great bouncing back at home, but they have also been great at bouncing back after losing to a division rival as they are 12-2 ATS over the last 3 seasons after an upset loss to a division opponent as a favorite, and they are a perfect 5-0 ATS this season when that has happened. The Nuggets are going to bounce back big in this game to even up the series as they are still the defending champions as well. The Nuggets will cover the spread in this game.