The Denver Nuggets play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena on Friday.

The Timberwolves (50-22) hit a bit of a wall after the All-Star break but they come into this matchup winning six of their last seven games. The slide actually moved them to third in the Western Conference, but they're just one game within the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of them. It'll be a battle between those teams to see who gets homecourt throughout the Western Conference Playoffs, but Minnesota has to be considered the underdog. This is a team that hasn't been in this position in two decades, and they're playing without one of their All-Stars. That's Karl-Anthony Towns, who will miss the remainder of the regular season after knee surgery a few weeks back.

The Nuggets (51-22) suffered a tough loss on Wednesday, being beaten at home by the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix actually held the lead for all but a few seconds in that game, marking Denver's third defeat over the last month. That hot stretch before the defeat had Denver climbing up to the top seed in the Western Conference, but it looks like they'll have to hold off Minnesota and Oklahoma City for the final two weeks. What's most important is to get Jamal Murray back from his ankle issue. He's one of the most underrated guards in the NBA, and it'll be tough for Denver to repeat as champions if Murray continues to miss time.

These teams have split their two matchups this season, with Denver winning the most recent meeting two weeks ago.