The Phoenix Suns can clinch the top spot in the Western Conference this Thursday as they go up against the dangerous Minnesota Timberwolves. Will the Suns get a win and the No. 1 seed in the conference? Or, will the Timberwolves deny Phoenix of both?
Catch this game live on Thursday, March 24, at 8 AM, Manila time.
Away: Phoenix Suns (58-14/28-6 on the road)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Cameron Payne
- SG: Devin Booker
- SF: Mikal Bridges
- PF: Jae Crowder
- C: Deandre Ayton
The Suns just keep on winning, with or without Chris Paul. They are on a roll once again, having won all of their last five games. The last time they were on the floor, the Suns whipped the Sacramento Kings in a 127-124 overtime win on the road. It’s almost ridiculous how Phoenix is manufacturing high-scoring outings without Paul, though, that doesn’t mean the Suns don’t need the Point God.
There’s even a chance that Paul will make his return this Thursday versus the Timberwolves. In any case, the Suns are having success sans Paul. They are averaging 131.2 points on 54.6 FG% and 43.1 3FG% during their ongoing undefeated run. With Devin Booker playing like an MVP and Deandre Ayton in the middle, the Suns can take care of business against the Timberwolves, who’ve been making strikes lately. Phoenix beat the Timberwolves in November (99-96) on the road and then again in January (134-124) at home.
Home: Minnesota Timberwolves (41-31/24-12 at home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: D’Angelo Russell
- SG: Patrick Beverley
- SF: Anthony Edwards
- PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
- C: Karl-Anthony Towns
The Timberwolves cooled off a bit after their four-game undefeated streak was halted in a 110-108 road loss to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. Nevertheless, Minnesota’s playing on another level lately, as the team has only lost twice in 12 games this month of March. They are arguably the hottest team in the league today, with Karl Anthony-Towns propelling the most prolific offense in the NBA this season.
Towns is averaging 24.9 points per game this seasoin with a 52.8 FG% and 41.1 3FG%. It’s really not that crazy to think that he’s the best-shooting big man in the history of the NBA, and his range will be a problem for the Suns, as he can pry away Deandre Ayton from the paint so that the likes of Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell can fearlessly attack the basket. Then agian, this Minnesota team thrives on shooting the ball from downtown. The Timberwolves are first in the NBA with 14.8 points per game and also in catch-and-shoot points per contest (32.1).
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: Minnesota’s proven itself as a team on the rise with its play this month. The Suns are on another level and are terrific defending against 3-pointers, but it’s a different thing when the best shooter on the opposing side is also the biggest guy. But I’m taking the Suns here to dominate and cover (-1.5), given that they would love to finally lock up the top seed in the West.
Over/Under: Both the Suns and the Timberwolves are top six in the NBA in field-goal attempts per game. Looking for the total to hit the Over (236.0) in this contest.
