Timberwolves’ young guns visit Nuggets as NBA underdogs
Published:
Daniel Coyle, American Sports Correspondent | October 30, 2015
T-Wolves aiming for successive wins
Minnesota Timberwolves will be gunning for a second straight victory to open their NBA campaign when they visit Denver Nuggets on Friday night as 4.5-point underdogs in NBA betting with Coral.
The T-Wolves kicked off their season in style on Wednesday night, overcoming a 15-point deficit in the third quarter to post a slim 112-111 win over Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, ending the six-game straight up road losing streak that closed out last season.
Minnesota hits the hardwood this season with the youngest starting five in the NBA, led by the dynamic duo of Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Those young stars were selected first overall in each of the last two NBA Drafts, with Wiggins earning Rookie of the Year honours last season, while Towns makes his NBA debut after emerging as a strong 5/1 pre-season bet to succeed the Canadian Jordan as this year’s top rookie in futures betting.
Teenager Mudiay one to watch
The Nuggets start the season with a phenom of their own in the lineup. Emmanuel Mudiay made his NBA debut in the Nuggets’ big 105-85 opening night victory in Houston, playing 38 minutes, and recording 17 points and nine rebounds.
Mudiay will need another strong performance to give the Nuggets a seventh SU win in their last 10 meetings with Minnesota.
The 19-year-old point guard was selected seventh overall in this year’s NBA Draft after playing pro ball in China last season, and led the way in pre-season Rookie of the Year wagering, with strong 7/2 odds.
Denver hits the road for a pair games following Friday night’s Wolves v Nuggets clash, travelling to Oklahoma City for a Sunday date with the Thunder, followed by a meeting with the Lakers on Tuesday.
OKC will also be looking for their second win of the young season, when they visit the Orlando Magic on Friday as heavy 9.5-point favourites in basketball betting at Coral.
Thunder fancied for title
The Thunder open the season on a mission after missing the postseason last spring, but start as a strong 7/1 price for the NBA Championship.
A rebuilding Magic looked strong in a heartbreaking 88-87 loss to Washington on Wednesday, and continue a tough, opening week schedule with a visit to Chicago on Sunday.
The Bulls will be gunning for a third straight win when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Friday as 3.5-point road favourites.
Chicago knocked off the defending Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday by a 97-95 score, and followed up with a decisive 115-100 win in Brooklyn the following night.
The play of former MVP Derrick Rose has been particularly encouraging for Bulls fans. Rose, who has struggled with injuries for the past three years, is in the lineup despite recently suffering an orbital bone fracture that has affected his vision, averaging 31 minutes and 16.5 points per game in the team’s first two outings.
In other NBA betting action at Coral’s online sportsbook, LeBron James faces his former teammates on Friday, when the Cavaliers host the Miami Heat as 6.5-point favourites. The Wizards visit the Milwaukee Bucks as slim 1.5-point road favourites, while the Lakers take on the Sacramento Kings as 6.5-point underdogs, and the Nets visit the San Antonio Spurs as 14.5-point underdogs.
Related
Check out our NBA archive, where our Division profiles are available to view.
Coral’s top tip: Thunder are great value to win the title this year at 7/1
