Heading into the final week of the NBA regular season, the Northwest Division race is still wide open with three teams within one game of each other.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently in first place (53-23) in the Northwest Division. They hold a half-game lead over the defending divisional champion Denver Nuggets (53-24) and lead the Oklahoma City Thunder (52-24) for a full game.
The Northwest division winner will presumably lock up the #1 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. With a top seed at stake, every game counts in the final week of the season among this trio of Northwest Division rivals.
Nuggets Favorite to Win Back-to-Back Northwest Crowns
The Nuggets are the defending NBA champion, and they also won the Northwest Division last season to deny the Utah Jazz three-straight division titles.
The Nuggets boast the best home record (31-8) in the Western Conference and have the second-best home record in the NBA. Head coach Mike Malone is well aware of the added benefit of home-court advantage in the playoffs because the Nuggets play in the Mile High City. The thin air of Colorado and high altitude negatively affects opponents, which provides the Nuggets both a physical and psychological edge.
The Nuggets lost three out of their last five games, which put the division title and #1 seed in jeopardy. They also have a slight disadvantage with only five remaining games whereas the Timberwolves and Thunder both have six games yet to play.
Out of the Nuggets’ five remaining games, four of their opponents have a losing record. They only host two more home games, but face three easy road opponents to end the season. The Jazz, San Antonio Spurs, and Memphis Grizzlies all have a losing record and all three teams were eliminated from postseason contention.
The Nuggets host the Atlanta Hawks this weekend and have a huge game against the Timberwolves next Wednesday, which could ultimately determine the division champion.
According to an update by BetMGM, Nuggets are the betting favorite to claim consecutive division titles at -150 odds.
The Nuggets are the second overall favorite on the board to win the NBA Championship at +340 odds. They’re also the consensus favorite to win back-to-back Western Conference titles at +155 odds.
Timberwolves Seek First Northwest Title Since 2004
Big man Karl-Anthony Towns has not played since early March when he tore the meniscus in his left knee. Shams Charania from The Athletic reported that Towns could return to action in the final week of the season to get him ready for the postseason.
Even without Towns, the Timberwolves went 10-4 and seized first place in the Western Conference standings. They defeated the Nuggets last weekend to take a 2-1 series lead during the regular season. Another victory next week against the Nuggets will lock up a potential tie breaker if both teams end the season with the same record.
The Timberwolves have six more games on their remaining schedule including three road games at the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers this weekend before squaring off against the Nuggets in Denver on Wednesday night. They host three games on their home court in Minneapolis next week against the Washington Wizards, Hawks, and Suns.
The Timberwolves are +240 odds to win their first division title in 20 years according to BetMGM.
The Timberwolves are +3000 odds to win their franchise’s first NBA championship. They’re also the fifth favorite on the futures board to claim their first Western Conference title at +1100 odds.
Second Chance Bet. Make your first deposit at BetRivers and place your first sports wager with real money. If your first wager loses, receive a Bonus Bet, equal to your stake, up to a maximum of $500. Bonus Bet will be awarded within 24 Hours of your qualifying wager settling as a loss. (must use promo code SPORTS)
Young Thunder Offer Best Value on the Board
The Thunder are desperate to turn around a mini skid. They dropped two games in a row and lost four out of their last seven games. As a result, they’re currently in third place and a full game behind the Timberwolves and a half-game behind the Nuggets.
The Thunder are at the tail end of a five-game road trip with two more away games against the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets this weekend. They conclude the season with a four-game homestand in OKC and host the Sacramento Kings, Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavs. The Kings, Bucks, and Mavs could be tough games.
The Thunder are the long shot at BetMGM at +425 odds to win the Northwest division for the first time since 2016.
The Thunder are the fifth-highest team on the futures board at +1900 odds to win their franchise’s first NBA championship. Only the Nuggets (+155) and L.A. Clippers (+350) have better odds than the Thunder to win the Western Conference at +700.
