Gameday preview: Timberwolves vs. Denver
May 13, 2021 at 2:42AM
7 p.m. vs. Denver • Target Center • BSN, 830-AM
Odds for top-3 pick falling
Wolves update: After wins against Orlando and Detroit, the Wolves have the sixth-worst record in the league, meaning their odds of retaining a top-three pick have fallen from 40% to 27.5% in the span of a week. But the Wolves are not resting any key players in their final games. … Ricky Rubio is averaging 17.7 points the past three games. … Jarred Vanderbilt has started the past three games and averaged nine rebounds per game since re-entering the starting lineup. … Since the All-Star break the Wolves have the 12th-most efficient offense in the league at 113.3 points per 100 possessions.
Nuggets update: Nikola Jokic is in contention for the MVP award after he has helped Denver to secure at least the No. 4 seed or better following the season-ending ACL injury to Jamal Murray. Jokic is averaging 26.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game and leads the league in win shares at 15, according to basketballreference.com. … Before Murray was injured, Michael Porter Jr. was averaging 16.7 points per game. Since the injury, Porter is averaging 24.6 points on 56% shooting.
Chris Hine
about the writer
High-profile victims in Minnesota include Mike Conley of the Timberwolves and Twins co-owner Jim Pohlad.
