The 2024 NBA Playoffs continue Saturday as the Western Conference semifinals tip off in primetime action. The No. 3 seed Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Denver and face the No. 2 seed Nuggets Saturday night in a 7 p.m. tip as this series opener is the only NBA game for the day.
The Timberwolves are looking for revenge as Denver defeated Minnesota 4-1 in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. The Nugget – the defending champions – are looking for a second-straight Western Conference Finals appearance.
In a battle of two of the top teams in the league, what players should bettors observe Saturday night? We’ll cover our top three player prop bets as well as our best bet for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Live player props data coming soon for Jamal Murray.
Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray UNDER 23.5 Points
The Nuggets knocked off the Los Angeles Lakers in five games to reach the semifinal round. In the series-clinching fifth game, Denver guard Jamal Murray exploded for 32 points, including the game-winning basket to finish off the LeBron James-led Lakers at home.
T’wolves guard Mike Conley will draw the assignment against Murray. Expect Conley to live up to his defensive specialist billing and keep Murray in check for the first game of this series, holding him under 23 points as Minnesota has in their three previous outings against Denver’s 6’ 4” guard during the regular season.
Live player props data coming soon for Mike Conley.
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Mike Conley OVER 2.5 3-Point Field Goals
The Timberwolves reached the semifinal round with a sweep of the Phoenix Suns. Shooting guard Anthony Edwards had an excellent four-game stretch, scoring 31.0 points and grabbing 8.0 rebounds in Minnesota’s opening-round conquest of the Suns.
Minnesota guard Mike Conley had a ho-hum series against Phoenix, hitting 36% of his three-point shots en route to an 11.8-point series average. Against Denver, however, expect Conley to improve his stats.
In four regular-season games against the Nuggets this year, Conley made 60% of his three-point shots, connecting on three long-range field goals in three of the four games the two teams played. He’ll continue that streak tonight in the series opener and cover this prop bet.
Live player props data coming soon for Nikola Jokic.
Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic UNDER 12.5 Rebounds
Denver’s MVP candidate is Nikola Jokic. The 6’ 11” center averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists in the regular season. His postseason stats are even more impressive as the two-time MVP finished with 28.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists in the first round series victory over the Lakers.
Few teams give Jokic issues other than Minnesota. The Timberwolves rely on 7’1” center Rudy Gobert – a six-time NBA’s All-Defensive First-Team selection – to keep Jokic off the glass.
And seven-footer Karl Anthony-Towns isn’t exactly a pushover in the paint. Expect Jokic to finish under the 12.5-rebound mark to avoid covering this player prop bet.
Best Bet: OVER 207.5 Points
Outside of the first matchup of the season between these two teams – one that took place on November 1 – the Nuggets and Timberwolves games have all exceeded the 207.5-point mark.
With both teams well-rested and ready for a big-time game, expect the scoreboard to light up all night long in Denver’s opening-round win over the Timberwolves.
