We’re inching closer to the NBA postseason, and two Western Conference squads that currently hold playoff spots are going up against one another Wednesday. Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves travel to Denver to take on Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Denver is the current No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, while Minnesota is No. 7 and hasn’t lost in March.
The Nuggets are 4-point favorites, according to SportsLine consensus odds, and are -170 on the money line (bet $170 to win $100) while the Timberwolves are +143 (bet $100 to win $143). The over/under is set at 234.5.
If you’re looking at player prop bets for Wednesday’s matchup between Timberwolves and Nuggets, including for Edwards and Jokic, make sure to check out what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. You can see all of the model’s top-rated prop picks for every game under the “Prop Picks” tab. There are ratings of up to five stars assigned for all sorts of different prop bets for players. Those picks can be key for creating winning parlays on DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, Underdog Fantasy or Sleeper Fantasy as well as same-game parlays on any available betting site.
Let’s dive into the SportsLine model’s three highest-rated player prop recommendations for Timberwolves-Nuggets and see what the payout would be if they were put into a same-game parlay.
Anthony Edwards Under 37.5 total points + rebounds + assists (-112): 4 stars In his last five games, Edwards has gone Under his PRA line four times, averaging 36.2 PRA per game over that span. SportsLine’s model projects the star Timberwolves player to finish Wednesday with 33.7 PRA against the Nuggets in Denver.
Nikola Jokic Under 51.5 total points + rebounds + assists (-110): 4 stars When it comes to PRA in today’s NBA, look no further than Jokic, who posted a historic 74 PRA line last week with 31 points, 21 rebounds and 22 assists. But the model is taking the Under on the three-time MVP Wednesday, projecting him to finish with 46.5 PRA against Minnesota. Jokic has finished Under his PRA prop in four of the last five games in which the Nuggets were favored and facing a team with a winning record, averaging 45.0 PRA over that span.
Jaden McDaniels Under 7.5 total rebounds + assists (3.5 stars) When facing teams with winning records, McDaniels has struggled with his rebounds + assists prop of late, finishing Under that prop line in each of his last five games with an average of 4.2 per contest. SportsLine’s model projects McDaniels to finish Wednesday with 6.8 total rebounds + assists in Denver.
March Madness frequently serves as a forum for high-profile NBA talents to showcase themselves on the sport’s biggest stage. But this year might be even better than in year’s past.
Projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg — the anchor for a likely No. 1 seeded Duke team — is the headliner as we barrel into the stretch run of the college basketball season. He’s not alone, though, as seven of the top 10 prospects in the CBS Sports prospect rankings and 11 of the top 14 are on team’s either projected in the field or trending in that direction.
That should make for a dynamic viewing experience this month whether you’re invested in a college team or more curious about the upcoming next wave of NBA stars. So with the NCAA Tournament’s start just two weeks out, our mock projections are freshly updated below to serve as both a temperature check on the current landscape and a viewing guide for some to keep watch on the sport’s most promising talents.
The NBA Draft order will not be set until later this spring, making projections below more in line with my own prospect rankings without consideration of team context for the time being.
Mock Draft Round 1 Round 1 – Pick 1 team logo team logo
player headshot Cooper Flagg PF Duke • Fr • 6’9″ / 205 lbs Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 1st POSITION RNK 1st PPG 19.4 RPG 7.6 APG 4.2 3P% 37.7% Flagg has flown into frontrunner status for national player of the year and has a top-five offense and defense with him leading the way. He’s an efficient producer whose defensive dynamism makes him as close to a sure thing in this class as there is. Round 1 – Pick 2 team logo team logo
player headshot Dylan Harper PG Rutgers • Fr • 6’6″ / 215 lbs Projected Team Utah PROSPECT RNK 2nd POSITION RNK 1st PPG 19.2 RPG 4.5 APG 3.9 3P% 34.5% The son of former NBA player Ron Harper, Dylan is a two-way star for Rutgers, averaging the sixth-most points among all Big Ten players as an 18-year-old (he turned 19 in early March). He’s a lead guard prospect with creative qualities both as a shot-maker and shot-creator for others. Round 1 – Pick 3 team logo team logo
player headshot Ace Bailey SF Rutgers • Fr • 6’10” / 200 lbs Projected Team Charlotte PROSPECT RNK 3rd POSITION RNK 1st PPG 17.6 RPG 7.2 APG 1.2 3P% 34.6% The size, scoring and sensational athleticism of Bailey makes him one of the most exciting prospects in this class. He needs to sharpen some of the passing and handling in his game but the ability to get a bucket is incomparable with any in this class. Round 1 – Pick 4 team logo team logo
player headshot Kasparas Jakucionis SF Illinois • Fr • 6’6″ / 205 lbs Projected Team New Orleans PROSPECT RNK 4th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 15.2 RPG 5.6 APG 4.8 3P% 33.1% Jakucionis’ production has tailed off from a hot start to the season — due at least in part to team injuries and attrition — but my evaluation has largely not changed. He’s a big guard who wins with finesse and craftiness. Round 1 – Pick 5 team logo team logo
player headshot VJ Edgecombe SG Baylor • Fr • 6’5″ / 180 lbs Projected Team Brooklyn PROSPECT RNK 5th POSITION RNK 1st PPG 15 RPG 5.4 APG 3.3 3P% 35.8% A steady upward trajectory for Edgecombe this season is among the reasons to be encouraged by his prospect profile. He’s shown himself a more polished passer and playmaker to go with his exceptional athleticism, all while improving as a scorer. Round 1 – Pick 6 team logo team logo
player headshot Tre Johnson SF Texas • Fr • 6’6″ / 190 lbs Projected Team Toronto PROSPECT RNK 6th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 20.2 RPG 3.2 APG 2.8 3P% 39.5% The arrow is pointing directly up for Johnson after 39, 32 and 29-point outings for Texas in the last month. He’s a bucket-getter approaching the same territory as Ace Bailey, and while he’s a prolific scorer, he has shown other flashes as an offensive weapon, adding to his already-deep bag. From Philadelphia 76ers Round 1 – Pick 7 team logo team logo
player headshot Jeremiah Fears SG Oklahoma • Fr • 6’4″ / 182 lbs Projected Team Oklahoma City PROSPECT RNK 7th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 16.3 RPG 4.1 APG 4.2 3P% 26.5% A recent 31-point offensive explosion vs. No. 15 Missouri served as a perfect example of the upside and promise of Fears. His game is not without warts — he’s shooting 27.5% from 3-point range — but his burst and advanced ball-handling are foundations for what could be a star in the making. Round 1 – Pick 8 team logo team logo
player headshot Jase Richardson SG Michigan State • Fr • 6’3″ / 185 lbs Projected Team San Antonio PROSPECT RNK 8th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 11.6 RPG 3.1 APG 1.9 3P% 38.8% Since earning a spot in the starting lineup last month, Richardson has led Michigan State to a fast finish while averaging 16 points per game and shooting 38% from 3-point range. He’s a complete player contributing for one of the best defensive teams in college basketball while providing a scoring boost as an outside weapon and inside finisher to boot. Round 1 – Pick 9 team logo team logo
player headshot Egor Demin SG BYU • Fr • 6’9″ Projected Team Chicago PROSPECT RNK 9th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 10.8 RPG 3.7 APG 5.6 3P% 28.3% BYU has closed its regular season on a heater thanks in part to Demin’s consistent late-season production. There’s great NBA appeal here with his big frame and playmaking if he can improve his shooting. Round 1 – Pick 10 team logo team logo
player headshot Nolan Traore PG France • 6’4″ / 175 lbs Projected Team Portland PROSPECT RNK 10th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 11.0 RPG 1.8 APG 5.2 3P% 26.5% Traore hasn’t lived up to billing as a potential top-five prospect in this class but I’m still bullish on the talent. He plays a confident style with the ball in his hands and has enough playmaking to help in part offset some of his struggles with turnovers and shooting. Round 1 – Pick 11 team logo team logo
player headshot Liam McNeeley SF Connecticut • Fr • 6’7″ / 210 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 11th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 14.7 RPG 6.2 APG 2.5 3P% 34.7% UConn lost its identity — and apparently its best player — when McNeeley went down with a high ankle injury earlier this year. He’s returned an even more dynamic weapon, serving in various roles as a creator, scorer and winner. Tough prospect who plays with an edge. From Phoenix Suns Round 1 – Pick 12 team logo team logo
player headshot Asa Newell PF Georgia • Fr • 6’11” / 220 lbs Projected Team Houston PROSPECT RNK 12th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 15.1 RPG 6.6 BPG 1.0 3P% 29.1% I’ve been impressed by Newell’s ability to play with physicality in the SEC this season — something that was at one point seen as a weak point for him. I think his game seamlessly transfers to the NBA as a rim-running lob threat who can step out and space the floor. Round 1 – Pick 13 team logo team logo
player headshot Kon Knueppel SF Duke • Fr • 6’7″ / 217 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 13th POSITION RNK 5th PPG 13.7 RPG 3.8 APG 2.5 3P% 39.9% Playing in the large shadow cast by teammate Cooper Flagg, Knueppel has been a consistent force for a top-two Duke team all season. He can do it all as a guard on offense, plays great team defense, and is especially dynamic as a shooter; Synergy Sports data rates him in the 88th percentile as a jump shooter and in the 82nd percentile on catch and shoots. From Sacramento Kings Round 1 – Pick 14 team logo team logo
player headshot Collin Murray-Boyles PF South Carolina • Soph • 6’8″ / 245 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 20th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 16.7 RPG 8.1 APG 2.4 3P% 25% The old-school style of Murray-Boyles’ game has been a smashing success in the SEC, where at South Carolina he has developed into one of the sport’s most dynamic two-way players. He plays bigger than his listed size and wins with physicality on both ends of the floor. Round 1 – Pick 15 team logo team logo
player headshot Khaman Maluach C Duke • Fr • 7’2″ / 250 lbs Projected Team Orlando PROSPECT RNK 16th POSITION RNK 2nd PPG 8 RPG 6.6 APG 0.5 3P% 15.4% My colleague Gary Parrish moved Maluach to No. 6 in his latest mock in early February, an example of the steam he’s gained in recent months that is nearing consensus in draft circles. I’m not quite as high but the appeal is obvious: he’s 7-foot-2 with a 7-5 wingspan and a reported 9-8 standing reach to go with rare movement skills for his size. From Atlanta Hawks Round 1 – Pick 16 team logo team logo
player headshot Derik Queen C Maryland • Fr • 6’10” / 246 lbs Projected Team San Antonio PROSPECT RNK 19th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 15.7 RPG 9.2 APG 2 3P% 8.3% Queen is a more throwback big whose game is predicated on physicality and passing finesse unlike Newell or Maluach — two more defensive-centric, above-the-rim talents. He sees the game at a high level and is a menace on the boards. From Los Angeles Clippers Round 1 – Pick 17 team logo team logo
player headshot Danny Wolf C Michigan • Jr • 7’0″ / 250 lbs Projected Team Oklahoma City PROSPECT RNK 14th POSITION RNK 1st PPG 12.9 RPG 9.7 APG 3.7 3P% 34.4% Wolf is a third-year college player but just 20 years old experiencing a breakout with Michigan this season. He’s a 7-footer with guard skills — handles, probing ability, the works — who is hitting a career-best 35% from 3-point range to boot. From Detroit Pistons Round 1 – Pick 18 team logo team logo
player headshot Ben Saraf SG Israel • 6’5″ / 200 lbs Projected Team Minnesota PROSPECT RNK 18th POSITION RNK 5th PPG 12.4 RPG 2.8 APG 4.4 3P% 27.1% Saraf is an Israeli guard who has acquitted himself well overseas as a scorer and playmaker at just 18 years old. He has good positional size and plays with craft to make up for his lack of burst. From Minnesota Timberwolves Round 1 – Pick 19 team logo team logo
player headshot JT Toppin PF Texas Tech • Soph • 6’9″ / 225 lbs Projected Team Utah PROSPECT RNK 15th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 18.1 RPG 9.3 APG 1.1 3P% 31.1% Toppin has emerged as one of the best players in the Big 12 this season after transferring to Texas Tech from New Mexico. He’s a power forward who thrives on the glass as a second-chance creator and contributes to winning with his energy and efficiency. From Milwaukee Bucks Round 1 – Pick 20 team logo team logo
player headshot Noa Essengue PF France • 6’10” / 200 lbs Projected Team Brooklyn PROSPECT RNK 21st POSITION RNK 5th PPG 12.4 RPG 5.3 APG 1.1 3P% 29.4% Essengue has continued to impress overseas playing alongside the aforementioned Saraf in Germany. He’s a big wing who is very young and already producing at a very high level professionally. Round 1 – Pick 21 team logo team logo
player headshot Nique Clifford SF Colorado State • Sr • 6’6″ / 200 lbs Projected Team Indiana PROSPECT RNK 17th POSITION RNK 6th PPG 18.4 RPG 9.7 APG 4.4 3P% 39.3% Clifford remains on the short list of guys I rank higher than most. He’s a fifth-year player with a plug-and-play skill set as a shooter and defender. From Golden State Warriors Round 1 – Pick 22 team logo team logo
player headshot Hugo Gonzalez SF Spain • 6’6″ / 205 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 22nd POSITION RNK 7th PPG 5.1 RPG 2.4 APG 0.9 3P% 28.1% On a deep Real Madrid team, Gonzalez remains something of a mystery box prospect given his sporadic playing time. The idea of him as a prospect centers around his scoring ability as a big wing. From Houston Rockets Round 1 – Pick 23 team logo team logo
player headshot Rasheer Fleming PF Saint Joseph’s • Jr • 6’9″ / 240 lbs Projected Team Brooklyn PROSPECT RNK 26th POSITION RNK 6th PPG 15.5 RPG 8.6 APG 1.4 3P% 41.8% Fleming’s rise into first-round territory can’t be ignored. He’s having a breakout junior season with Saint Joseph’s, hitting 43.2% from 3-point range and rating out in the 97th percentile on jumpers, per Synergy. Big wing with a great frame and translatable game. From Memphis Grizzlies Round 1 – Pick 24 team logo team logo
player headshot Drake Powell SG North Carolina • Fr • 6’6″ / 195 lbs Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 23rd POSITION RNK 6th PPG 7.5 RPG 3.3 APG 1.1 3P% 39% The breakout for Powell may not happen this season but the flashes of promise as a future NBA role player have been enough to keep him in the first round for me. He can make open shots and has the defensive tools to be a star on that end. From Los Angeles Lakers Round 1 – Pick 25 team logo team logo
player headshot Dink Pate SG G League Ignite • 6’8″ / 210 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 24th POSITION RNK 7th PPG 9.7 RPG 4.9 APG 1.9 3P% 26.6% Pate has largely fallen off the lottery radar this season playing in Mexico but he remains a first-round prospect in my ranks because of his size and shot creation. I like the way he can get downhill and he has a creative streak that I think will work as a passing two-guard at the NBA level. From New York Knicks Round 1 – Pick 26 team logo team logo
player headshot Boogie Fland PG Arkansas • Fr • 6’2″ / 175 lbs Projected Team Brooklyn PROSPECT RNK 25th POSITION RNK 3rd PPG 15.1 RPG 3.4 APG 5.7 3P% 36.5% Fland looks like one of the biggest losers of an injury earlier this season after initially being projected as a potential top-10 talent. He has great burst and shot it well from 3-point range, but injury concerns coupled with his more slender frame may be a point of concern for NBA teams. From Denver Nuggets Round 1 – Pick 27 team logo team logo
player headshot Alex Karaban SF Connecticut • Jr • 6’8″ / 225 lbs Projected Team Orlando PROSPECT RNK 28th POSITION RNK 9th PPG 14.5 RPG 5.2 APG 2.8 3P% 35.3% Karaban’s season hasn’t played out the way many expected — he’s tailed off as a shooter, struggled with turnovers and at times lacked confidence. I can’t help but wonder if his shoulder is giving him problems. Still, he’s a very good player who has size and shooting and has been integral to two title teams the last two years. Round 1 – Pick 28 team logo team logo
player headshot Adou Thiero SF Arkansas • Jr • 6’8″ / 220 lbs Projected Team Boston PROSPECT RNK 27th POSITION RNK 8th PPG 15.6 RPG 6 APG 2 3P% 26.2% Once just a fringe starter at Kentucky, Thiero has been “the guy” for Arkansas this season enjoying a true breakout. He’s always been a bulldog defender but has grown into a bigger role as a scorer and managed to add to his defense as a true playmaker on that end. From Oklahoma City Thunder Round 1 – Pick 29 team logo team logo
player headshot Kam Jones PG Marquette • Sr • 6’5″ / 205 lbs Projected Team L.A. Clippers PROSPECT RNK 29th POSITION RNK 4th PPG 18.9 RPG 4.5 APG 6.1 3P% 30.6% Thriving in a new role this season at Marquette as an on-ball scorer and creator has unlocked some new NBA possibilities for Jones. He’s always been a prolific scorer and now realized potential as a passer. From Cleveland Cavaliers Round 1 – Pick 30 team logo team logo
player headshot Isaiah Evans SG Duke • Fr • 6’6″ / 175 lbs Projected Team Phoenix PROSPECT RNK 40th POSITION RNK 10th PPG 7.7 RPG 1.2 APG 0.5 3P% 44.4% He’s the sixth-leading scorer on Duke, but Evans looks the part of a future star at times with his ability to provide instant offense and knock down shots. The former five-star is precisely the developmental bet I’d want to take if picking in the late 20s.
There are nine NBA games today for anyone making NBA prop picks on sites like Underdog Fantasy. The Nuggets will host the Timberwolves in a Western Conference semifinals rematch from last season, which the Timberwolves won in seven games, and Minnesota has won the first two meetings at home this year. Anthony Edwards is averaging 31.5 points per game over those two contests, but his higher/lower scoring total is just 26.5 points on Wednesday. Nikola Jokic, who is listed as probable (elbow, ankle), is averaging 26.4 points, 16.2 rebounds and 10.8 assists for a P+R+A average of 53.4 over five games this month, but his P+R+A higher/lower total is only 51.5.
SportsLine’s proven model, which has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons, has simulated every Wednesday NBA game 10,000 times and revealed a projected over/under for each player in each matchup.
Below are the model’s five best NBA prop picks for Wednesday to include in NBA Underdog Fantasy prop picks.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Lower than 44.5 P+R+A The Thunder point guard leads the NBA in scoring at 32.7 points per game, but he averages 44 points+rebounds+assists this season and is coming off 25 points, three rebounds and seven assists for a 35 total against the Nuggets on Monday. The Thunder play the Celtics, who have the No. 3 scoring defense in the league (108.2 ppg) while allowing the third-fewest assists (24.1 per game).
Alperen Sengun Lower than 37.5 P+R+A The Rockets center has finished below this total in three straight games. Although the 6-foot-11 big man is averaging 10.4 rebounds per game, he’s failed to record a double-double in three of his last four contests. Houston plays the Suns, who rank 10th in total rebounding, and Phoenix hasn’t allowed at least 10 rebounds to a player besides Jokic over its last three games.
James Harden Lower than 26.5 points The 35-year-old Clippers guard is averaging 22.2 ppg this season, and although he’s Los Angeles’ leading scorer among healthy players, his assist totals have been especially dominant lately. Harden has two games with at least 15 assists over his last five contests, including having 25 points and 17 assists against the Pelicans on Tuesday. Wednesday is the second-half of a back-to-back for the veteran has gone lower than this point total in eight of his last 10 second legs of a back-to-back.
Bam Adebayo Lower than 10.5 rebounds The Heat center has finished below his total rebounds in six of his last 10 games while averaging 9.5 rebounds per contest over that span. Miami plays the Clippers, who rank third in rebounds allowed behind the physical Ivica Zubac at center.
Karl-Anthony Towns Higher than 2.5 assists The New York big man had three assists on Monday as the Knicks played their second game without Jalen Brunson (ankle) and Towns will have the ball in his hands to create for both himself and others more without Brunson. Towns has averaged at least three assists in each of his last seven seasons, including 3.1 per game this year, as a skilled passer for his size.
Want more NBA picks for tonight? You’ve seen the top Underdog Fantasy NBA prop picks for Wednesday. Now, get NBA picks for every game from SportsLine’s proven model, which has returned more than $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus season.
