Timberwolves vs. Nuggets odds, prediction, spread, time: 2026 NBA picks for Sunday, March 1 from proven model
CBS Sports
by
Daniel Kohn
March 1, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves are set to clash in a crucial Northwest Division matchup on Sunday, March 1. Both teams enter the game with identical 37-23 records, making this contest pivotal for their standings as they aim to secure higher seeds in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves, currently the fifth seed, will look to extend their road success (17-12) against a Denver team that has struggled slightly more at home (16-11). Julius Randle of Minnesota is expected to play after recovering from a back injury, while Denver remains without key players like Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., who are still sidelined with injuries.
The game will take place at Ball Arena in Denver, with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. The Nuggets hold a significant historical advantage over the Timberwolves, winning three of the last four meetings. Currently, Denver is a 2.5-point favorite, and the total points projected to be scored is 241.5, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards has been a standout player this season, averaging nearly 28 points per game in simulations, while Nikola Jokic leads Denver with an average of 26.3 points.
SportsLine’s Projection Model, which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, predicts that the Over (241.5) is more likely to hit, as it has done so in six of the last 10 head-to-head matchups. Additionally, both teams have shown a tendency to exceed this total in recent games, with Minnesota’s offense contributing significantly. The model
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 3/1/2026