Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
Phoenix Suns vs Minnesota Timberwolves Game 2: Western Conference Playoffs – First round
The Minnesota Timberwolves made a statement in the opening game of the series and will look to take a 2-0 lead when they host the Phonix Suns in Target Center on Tuesday.
Can the Suns get out of the hole?
Coming into the season, the Phoenix Suns looked like a real contender, but at this point, things do not look so promising for them. They had no chance in the opening game against the Timberwolves, and Kevin Durant was the only player on the required level. KD scored 31 points, while Devin Booker shot only 5 of 16 from the field for 18 points. The Suns shot 44% from the field and 32.1% from deep, which is not acceptable for the playoffs.
The Timberwolves are for real
The Minnesota Timberwolves are having their best season in the last two decades, and they proved they are serious contenders with a 120-95 win in Game 1. Anthony Edwards put on a show, scoring 33 points on 14 of 24 shots from the field. Rudy Gobert had a double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds, but the Wolves’ bench also made a difference. Six players from the bench scored in Game 1, led by Nigel Alexander-Walker with 18 points. The Wolves shot 50% from the field and had 24 rebounds more than the Suns.
Betting Trends
The Suns are 9-1 ATS in the last ten games against the Timberwolves. Phoenix is 2-4 ATS in the last six games overall. Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in the last five games overall and 4-2 ATS in the last six games against teams from the Pacific Division.
Prediction and Conclusion
The first game of the series was a blowout win for the Timberwolves, who showed energy that could take them deep into the playoffs. Anthony Edwards is growing into a real superstar in every game, and he outplayed the experienced stars on the Suns roster. Kevin Durant was left by himself in the opening game for Phoenix, and the Suns know what they need to do in Game 2. Things could not go any worse for the Suns, and knowing the potential of this team, they will bounce back tonight. The Timberwolves are still the favorites, but Devin Booker and Bradley Beal will pick up their form, and the Suns will be much more competitive, which will bring them close to victory, and they will at least cover the +3.5-point spread.
