Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns Game 3: Western Conference Playoffs – First round

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a 2-0 lead in the series against the Phoenix Suns and now Kevin Durant and his teammates will need to respond in Game 3 at Footprint Center on Friday.

The Timberwolves look scary

The Minnesota Timberwolves are having their best season in the last two decades, and they proved they are serious contenders with back-to-back wins in the first two games of the series. Anthony Edwards was fantastic in the first game, scoring 33 points, but he had only 15 with three field goals in the 105-93 Game 2 win. That proved that the Wolves are much more than one player, and they can win even with Edwards having a night off. Jaden McDaniels scored his career playoff high with 25 points, followed by Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley with 18.

Can the Suns shine on Friday?

Coming into the season, the Phoenix Suns looked like a real contender, but at this point, things do not look so promising at all after losing the first two games to the Timberwolves. Kevin Durant was hot in the opening game but scored only 18 points on 6 of 15 shooting from the field in the last one. Devin Booker was not much better with 20 points and the Suns are now in a deep hole.

Betting Trends

Phoenix has won 10 of the last 13 games against Minnesota and the last six at home. The Suns are 10-5 SU in the last 15 games in April and 12-6 SU in the last 18 games as favorites. The Timberwolves are 14-5 SU in the last 19 games overall.

Prediction and Conclusion

The Phoenix Suns were not even close to winning in the first two games of the series. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal look like the best-scoring trio in the league, but they were just average on the offensive end and failed to slow down the Timberwolves on the defense. This Suns team was built to win, and this looks like a must-win game for them. Kevin Durant has all the experience in the world, and he will need to step up and take over this game. There is no doubt that he would respond well and probably go over 30 points, but the rest of the Suns roster will need to make the difference. Coach Frank Voegel will find a way to get the best out of his team, and the Suns will cut the series deficit to 2-1.