Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns Preview
Game two of this first-round Western Conference matchup between the Suns and Timberwolves is set for 7:30 PM ET at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves are up 1-0 in the series and are favored by 3.5 points at home. The over/under line is sitting at 211.5 points, and the money line odds are -158 for the Timberwolves and +132 for the Suns. TNT is carrying this game on TV.
Check out BetCoco for Minnesota Timberwolves – Phoenix Suns odds
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns Head-to-Head and Key Stats
In the last three head-to-head matchups, the Suns are averaging 105 points per game, compared to the Timberwolves at 104. These figures have led to Phoenix posting a record of 2-1.
- Phoenix has played well in their previous 5 road games, going 4-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 115 points per game while allowing 110. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
- Through their last ten home games, Minnesota has an ATS record of just 6-4. However, their overall record was 6-4 while averaging 110 points per game.
- Phoenix has done well both straight up and vs the spread as the underdog, going 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games.
- Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Timberwolves have gone 4-6 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 8-2.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns Prediction
Minnesota picked up a 120-95 win over the Suns in the most recent game of this series. The Timberwolves easily covered the spread in this game, as they were favored by 2.5 points heading into the game. The over/under line for the game was 213.5 points, and the teams combined to score 215 points.
Anthony Edwards had a big game for the Timberwolves, as he finished with 33 points, six assists, and nine rebounds. As a team, Minnesota shot 50% from the field and knocked down 12 threes. On the other side, the Suns made just nine threes and shot 32.1% from beyond the arc. Kevin Durant led Phoenix with 31 points.
Today’s O/U line of 211.5 points is lower than the Suns’ season average of 229.3 points per game. Phoenix has seen the over hit in their last two games and has an O/U record of 37-45-1 this season.
In their most recent game, the Suns lost to the Timberwolves by a score of 120-95. This dropped their overall record to 49-33, which is currently 6th in the Western Conference.
When facing Western Conference opponents, the Suns have gone 29-23 compared to 20-10 against the East. In the Pacific Division, they are 2nd with a record of 9-9.
Against the spread, the Suns are 35-47 this season and have gone 19-23 ATS on the road. As the underdog, they are 10-12 ATS on the road and 9-13 overall.
In their last game vs. Minnesota, the Suns were 2.5-point underdogs and did not cover the spread. Today, they are 3.5-point underdogs on the road.
Phoenix comes into the game ranked 10th in the NBA in scoring at 116.2 points per game. They have been slightly better on the road, at 116.1 points per contest. The Suns are a very efficient offensive team, as they have hit 49% of their shots from the field this year, which is the 5th best mark in the league.
Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are both averaging 27.1 points per game this season. Durant has hit 41.3% of his threes this year, compared to 36.4% for Booker. Over his last five games, Bradley Beal is averaging 23.2 points per game while hitting 59.5% of his shots from the field and 61.9% of his threes.
When it comes to defense, the Phoenix Suns have been average this season, ranking 15th in points allowed per game at 113.3. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, they have been even better, ranking 8th in the NBA at 46.5%.
One area where the Suns have struggled defensively is defending the three-point line, as they are 19th in three-point percentage allowed at 36.4%. On the season, opponents are making 13.1 threes per game vs. Phoenix.
Over their last five games, the Suns have given up 109.2 points per game, which is 14th in the league during that span. During that stretch, opponents have shot 47.8% from the field and 37.7% from three against Phoenix.
Minnesota is 3.5-point favorites at home today against the Suns. This season, the Timberwolves are 48-16 as the favorite and have gone 30-33 against the spread in those games. As the favorite, they have an average scoring margin of +8.9 points per game.
As the favorite, Minnesota has gone 30-33 against the spread at home and 22-18 on the road. As the favorite, they have covered the spread in two straight games.
This season, Minnesota has gone 43-40 on the over/under, including hitting the over in two straight games. On average, their games have finished with 219.4 points per game, and today’s O/U line is 211.5.
In their most recent game, the Timberwolves defeated the Suns by a score of 120-95. The teams’ over/under line for that game was 213.5, and Minnesota covered the spread as 2.5-point favorites.
Minnesota is currently 3rd in the Western Conference with a record of 56-26. Against other Western Conference teams, they are 37-15 and 12-4 against teams in their division.
Minnesota comes into the game as the NBA’s 18th-ranked scoring offense, at 113 points per game. On their home floor, they are 22nd in the league, with an average of 112.2 points per contest. The Timberwolves are also below average in terms of pace, averaging 97 possessions per game.
Anthony Edwards has been carrying the Timberwolves offense of late, averaging 27.2 points per game over his last five games. In these games, he hit 52.2% of his shots from the field. For the season, he is averaging 25.9 points and 5.1 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds for the season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been the best defensive team in the NBA this season, allowing just 106.4 points per game. At home, they have been even better, giving up just 103.5 points per game, which is also tops in the league. Overall, opponents have scored less than their season average in 73.2% of their games vs. Minnesota.
One area where the Timberwolves have excelled is defending the three-point line. They are 3rd in the league in three-point percentage allowed at 35.6%. On the season, opponents have made fewer threes than their season average in 72% of their games vs. Minnesota.
Over their last five games, the Timberwolves have struggled a bit defensively, allowing 112.6 points per game and have given up a field goal percentage of 49.6% over that stretch.
In spite of being 3.5 point underdogs, we anticipate the Suns winning this one 114-113.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns Betting Tips
- We like the Suns on the moneyline (+132)
- The Suns are also our pick on the spread at +3.5
- Projecting a combined 227 points, we like the over
Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report
- Kyle Anderson – Hip – Questionable
Phoenix Suns Injury Report
- Damion Lee – Knee – Out
- Grayson Allen – Ankle – Questionable
