Phoenix Suns vs Minnesota Timberwolves Preview
The Timberwolves and Suns will tip off game three of their first-round series at 10:30 PM ET at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. Minnesota leads the series 2-0 and are the 3 seed in the Western Conference compared to the Suns at 6. ESPN is carrying the game on TV, and the over/under line is at 206.5 points. Phoenix is favored by four points and are -183 on the money line. The Timberwolves are at +152 on the money line.
Check out BetCoco for Phoenix Suns – Minnesota Timberwolves odds
Phoenix Suns vs Minnesota Timberwolves Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The Timberwolves and Suns did not have any head-to-head matchups last season. But over the last three times playing each other, the Timberwolves have a record of 2-1. The Timberwolves also had the edge vs. the spread in these games, at 2-1. These games averaged a combined total of 214 points per game leading to an over/under record of 2-1.
- Through their last three road contests, the Timberwolves offense has averaged 107 points per game while allowing an average of 110. Minnesota posted an overall record of 1-2 while going 1-2 ATS.
- In their last ten games at home, the Suns have a straight up record of 6-4 while going 5-5 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 110 points per game in these contests.
- Looking back on the team’s last three games as the underdog, the Timberwolves have a straight up record of 1-2. Their record vs the spread in these games was 1-2.
- Across their last five matchups as the betting favorite, the Suns have an overall record of 3-2 while going 2-3 against the spread.
Phoenix Suns vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves picked up a 105-93 win over the Suns in the most recent game of this series. Minnesota was favored by three points heading into the game, and they were able to cover the spread. The over/under line for the game was 211.5 points, and the game finished 13.5 points below that number.
Minnesota’s defense played well in this game, holding the Suns to just 93 points. The Timberwolves also struggled from three-point range, making just nine threes. Jaden McDaniels was the leading scorer in the game with 25 points, and he also added eight rebounds. Devin Booker had 20 points for the Suns.
In their last two games, the Timberwolves have covered the spread and have an ATS record of 42-41 for the season. On the road, they are 22-18 ATS compared to 20-23 ATS at home.
Minnesota’s O/U record for the season is 43-41, and 83 of their games have had higher over/under lines than today’s line of 206.5. This year, their games have averaged 219.2 points per game.
This season, the Timberwolves have been the underdog in 19 of their games, going 9-10 straight-up and 11-8 ATS. As the underdog, they have an average scoring differential of -0.7 points per game.
Minnesota’s last game was also against the Suns, and they won by a score of 105-93. The O/U line for that game was 211.5, and the Timberwolves were favored by 3 points.
Currently, the Timberwolves are 3rd in the Western Conference with a record of 56-26. In games against other Western Conference teams, they are 37-15 and 19-11 in non-conference games.
Minnesota comes into the game ranked 18th in the league in scoring at 113 points per game. They have been slightly better on the road this season, averaging 114 points per contest. The Timberwolves are also a top-10 team in field goal percentage this year, connecting on 48% of their shots from the field.
Anthony Edwards is averaging 20 points per game over his last five games on a field goal percentage of 45.2%. In these games, he also averaged 5.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns has averaged 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds this season while shooting 41.6% from beyond the arc. Rudy Gobert is averaging 12.9 rebounds per game this season and has shot 82.5% from the field in his last five games.
So far this season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been the best defensive team in the NBA, allowing just 106.2 points per game. They have been especially stingy on the road, giving up just 109.3 points per game away from home, which is the second-best mark in the league.
Overall, opponents have scored less than their season average in 74.4% of games vs. the Timberwolves. This has been due in large part to Minnesota’s ability to defend the three-point line, as they have allowed the 3rd fewest made threes per game at just 11.4.
Over their last five games, the Timberwolves have given up 107 points per game, which is 8th in the NBA during that span. However, they have struggled to defend the three-point line recently, allowing opponents to shoot 39.5% from deep.
In terms of their ATS record, the Suns have gone 16-24 at home and 19-24 on the road. Currently, they have an ATS record of 35-48 and have failed to cover the spread in their last two games overall.
Today, the Suns are favored by 4 points and have gone 25-35 ATS as the favorite. As the favorite, they have a scoring margin of +4.8 points per game and are 40-21 straight-up.
Phoenix’s O/U record for the season is 37-46-1, and their games have averaged 228.9 points per game. Today’s O/U line of 206.5 is lower than all of their previous games.
In their most recent game, the Suns lost to the Timberwolves by a score of 105-93. The O/U line for that game was 211.5 points, and the Suns were 3-point underdogs going into the game.
Overall, the Suns are 49-33 this season, which is good for 6th place in the Western Conference. Against the West, they have gone 29-23 and are 9-9 against division opponents.
Devin Booker and Kevin Durant are both averaging 27.1 points per game this season, which is the 4th best mark in the league. Booker is averaging 6.9 assists per game, compared to Durant’s 5. Bradley Beal has hit 60.9% of his threes in his last five games and 56.4% of his shots overall. In those games, he averaged 22.2 points per game.
Phoenix is the NBA’s 10th ranked scoring offense this season, averaging 116.2 points per game. Their home scoring average of 115.8 points per game is 13th in the league. The Suns are among the league leaders in field goal percentage and true shooting percentage.
So far this season, the Suns are 13th in the NBA in points allowed per game at 113.2. They are also 8th in defensive rebounds per game and 7th in blocked shots per contest.
On the year, Phoenix has given up 112.8 points per game at home, which is 16th in the league. In their last five games, they have been slightly better at 109.2 points per contest.
Opponents have been able to make just 46.5% of their field goal attempts against the Suns, which is 8th in the NBA. However, they are 18th in three-point shooting percentage allowed at 36.3%.
With a 4-point advantage on the spread, our projections favor the Suns to secure a 114-113 victory.
Phoenix Suns vs Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Tips
- Take the Suns on the moneyline
- On the spread, we like Timberwolves (+4)
- Projecting a combined 227 points, we like the over
Phoenix Suns Injury Report
- Damion Lee – Knee – Out
- Grayson Allen – Ankle – Questionable
Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report
- Kyle Anderson – Hip – Questionable
