Nuggets vs. Timberwolves series odds: Bettors loving underdog Minnesota

Bettors are flocking to the Timberwolves ahead of their second-round series against the reigning champion Denver Nuggets. 

A mind-boggling 94.1 percent of tickets and 76.6 percent of the handle at Fanatics Sportsbook is on the Timberwolves to take the series, according to Action Network. 

Minnesota is garnering 15 times more bets than Denver at the sportsbook. 

Still days away from Game 1 tip-off, Fanatics oddsmakers already have moved the Timberwolves from +200 to +175 to win the series. 

At BetMGM, the Timberwolves are also a popular pick, attracting 63 percent of bets, though more than half the money at the sportsbook (53 percent) is on the Nuggets. 

The Nuggets opened at -255 to win the series at DraftKings Sportsbook, but have been bet down to -215 as of this writing after money on the upstart Timberwolves poured in. 

The Timberwolves, who are coming off their first series win in two decades, are looking to continue what already has been a magical 2023-24 season. 

After opening the series as a slight underdog, the No. 3-seeded Timberwolves convincingly swept the Phoenix Suns, winning three of four games by double-digits.

The Nuggets are coming off a competitive five-game series win over the Lakers.

These two teams also matched up during the 2023 Playoffs with Denver eliminating Minnesota in five games, although All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns appeared in just one of those contests. 

Despite the betting public’s love for the Timberwolves, the Nuggets remain heavy favorites to win the Western Conference (+105, DraftKings). 

Betting on the NBA?

The Timberwolves have the third-best odds (+400) to come out of the West, trailing the Nuggets and Thunder (+300). 

Denver is also the second-favorite to win the NBA title (+235) behind the Celtics (+135), while Minnesota has the fourth-best odds (+900). 

The Nuggets will host the Timberwolves in Game 1 on Saturday.