After getting off to a 2-0 series lead, the Minnesota Timberwolves have their backs up against the wall down 3-2 but host the Denver Nuggets tonight. Can Anthony Edwards respond to what’s happened over the previous three games? Will Nikola Jokic continue to dominate and get his team into the conference finals again? 

 

 

 

Let’s break down today’s top NBA DFS picks and showdown options on Thursday, May 16th.

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves DFS Plays

  • Total: 204.5
  • Spread: MIN -2.5
  • Season Series: 3-2 DEN

NBA Injury Report Today, 5/16

Nuggets Injuries

Timberwolves Injuries

 

 

 

NBA DFS Showdown CPT/MVP Top Plays

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Do the Timberwolves change their coverages on Nikola Jokic after what he did to them in Game 5? We’ll see, but will that even matter? We’ll see part two. Jokic has 60-plus DKP in three straight games and 58 or more in all but one of his 10 playoff games thus far.

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Game 5 did not go how Edwards thought it would as he was doubled every time he caught the ball and not having Mike Conley to handle the ball hurt him. Edwards has two 40-point games this series and leads the team in usage and FP/min this postseason. I’m comfortable with Edwards with Mike Conley giving it a go.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

Towns looked really, really good in Game 5 and has had some big games this series for a guy that should realistically be more expensive. Playing Towns at your captain spot lets you comfortably get him plus one of Jokic and Edwards. Towns has a 24.5% USG and has averaged 1.13 FP/min this postseason.

Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets

It’s been a good series for Aaron Gordon, but he was the X-Factor in the last two games. He’s been amazing. He’s scored the ball at a high level and is being asked to do a lot of ball handling, leading to elevated assist numbers. Gordon fits the captain's billing quite well because of his price and play.

 

 

 

NBA DFS Showdown UTIL Top Plays

Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

I’m fine getting to Murray at the captain spot considering how good he was in Minnesota for their two games this series. He played third fiddle to Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon in Game 4, but he hasn’t looked healthier all postseason than he had the previous three games.

Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves

Despite all the crap Rudy Gobert has gotten after what happened to him and the Timberwolves in Game 5, he was really good in that game. He had an 18-point double-double and had four stocks to go with it. Naz Reid has not look very good in the last three games and Gobert is going to continue to be extended because of it. Look for another 40 minutes out of Gobert here.

Mike Conley, Minnesota Timberwolves

If Mike Conley gives it a go, I expect he’s good to go and will play close to full. Given his age and wear and tear on his body, I’m not sure they’d put him at risk if he wasn’t good enough to go. He’s been very solid when he’s been on the floor.

 

 

 

NBA DFS Showdown Value Top Plays

Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves

McDaniels is good, but not great. The appeal to McDaniels is possibly playing somewhere near 40 minutes. He has shot better at home this year posting a 38% clip from three in Minnesota and just 27% on the road.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves

If Mike Conley plays and is compromised at all, Alexander-Walker is going to be thrust into a prominent role. He’s VERY inconsistent and has a very high ceiling when his shot falls and a very low floor when he doesn’t. He’s going to play mid-20s minutes and could see upwards of 30 if Conley can’t be extended or if there’s foul trouble.

Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets

In back-to-back games, the Nuggets have rolled with Christian Braun in their closing lineup, and he’s been great. He’s played 25+ minutes in each of those games and put up 16 and 25 DKP in them. He does a little bit of everything, and his ceiling is higher these days because he’s making threes.

NBA DFS Showdown Punts