Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Prop Pick: Will Jamal Murray Get Shut Down in Game 5?

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Prop Pick: Will Jamal Murray Get Shut Down in Game 5?

The Timberwolves and Nuggets head back to Denver for game five of the second round of the Western Conference playoffs tonight. The Wolves jumped out to a 2–0 series lead by winning the first two games in Denver. However, the Nuggets have quickly reminded everyone that they are the defending champions by battling back and evening the series at 2–2. They will now have an opportunity to take the lead in the series at home tonight in Ball Arena.

TIMBERWOLVES VS. NUGGETS GAME 5 DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH

• Date: May 14, 2024
• Start Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
• Where to Watch: TNT

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Prediction

The main storyline from the last two games was the red-hot shooting from the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets shot 48% from three and 54% overall in Game and shot 45% from three and 57% overall from the field in Game 4. Although the Timberwolves have played great defense in this series, the Nuggets have found ways to adjust on offense to get their shots to fall, and they have not been missing.

That includes Jamal Murray, who has gotten going in the series after a slow start, going for 24 points in Game 3 and 19 in Game 4. Game 4 was the first game of the series that he made over two three-pointers as well, finishing 3-for-7 from three. It was just the third time in the playoffs so far that he has made over two threes as well. I am fading Jamal Murray in this spot by taking the under on his three-pointers at 2.5. While he finally got going in Game 4 from deep, he has been erratic in the playoffs, and had been shut down in this series on the perimeter before the last contest. No one on the Nuggets could miss in Game 4, and most of Murray’s points came in the first half when the Nuggets were shooting over 60%.

I don’t expect this surge of hot shooting to continue for the Nuggets, as the Timberwolves were the best defense in the NBA during the regular season and will be able to make adjustments for Game 5. The shooting is bound to regress, which includes Jamal Murray.

Jamal Murray is also dealing with a calf injury that has made him a game-time decision in every game of the series so far. While he will most likely play through this injury again, it is still a factor to consider for a shooter who likes to shoot threes. Murray had been held quiet from the perimeter over the first three games of the series due to the excellent perimeter defense of the Timberwolves, and I like that to continue in Game 5.

Murray barely hit this over in Game 4, and will now be playing his third game in six days after getting the extended rest between the second and third games. That may play into his injury a little bit more as well. Although this is a heavily juiced line, I do not see Murray getting enough clean looks from three with the suffocating Timberwolves defense to go over 2.5 threes tonight.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Prop Pick

Pick: Jamal Murray Under 2.5 Three-Pointers Made (-185) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds

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