The Minnesota Timberwolves welcome the Phoenix Suns to the Target Center. The game gets underway at 8:00 pm ET on Monday, Mar. 28 and can be seen on FA+ and FNo.
The Timberwolves were beaten by the Jazz 93-84 on Saturday. Ricky Rubio finished with 23 points to lead the game. The Suns, meanwhile, are coming off a tough 102-99 loss against the Celtics on Saturday. Devin Booker led the team in scoring with 21 points.
Over the last five games, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rubio have played well for the Timberwolves. During that stretch, Towns has averaged 24.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.6 blocks. Not to be outdone, Rubio has put up 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 2.6 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.6 three-pointers.
The aggressive Timberwolves offense might be getting to the charity stripe a lot in this one. They rank third in the league at getting to the line (free throw attempt rate of 33.4), while Phoenix is among the NBA’s most foul-prone teams (giving up a 29th-ranked free throw attempt rate of 32.0).
The Suns lead the season series against the Timberwolves two games to one, escaping with a narrow 107-104 victory the last time these teams met. P.J. Tucker put up 23 points and 12 rebounds.
The Timberwolves look to improve upon their records of 24-49 Straight Up (SU) and 35-37-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have been able to pull off wins at home against the Western Conference, going, but have struggled ATS with a record of 13-22-1. The Timberwolves have made 1,576 free throws this season (21.0 per game), which leads the league.
In the other locker room, the Suns have a record of 30-43 ATS and 20-53 SU. Phoenix has done particularly well ATS over its past 10 matchups, going 7-3.
With the Suns’ last win against Minnesota, their SU record rises to 7-3 over the Timberwolves in the last 10 games. The Suns also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 5-4-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – Min
Notes
On average, Phoenix scores 100.4 points per game (ranked 22nd). Minnesota ranks 24th in points allowed per game with 105.9.
Phoenix and Minnesota are well matched, ranking 25th in points per away game and points allowed at home respectively. Phoenix puts up an average of 97.2 points on the road, while Minnesota gives up 104.9 points at home on average.
When giving up fewer than 100 points, the Minnesota Timberwolves have an 11-8 record. When they don’t reach the century mark, the Phoenix Suns have an underachieving record of 2-34.
At 13-41, the Minnesota Timberwolves have an abysmal record when their opponents score at least 100 points. The Phoenix Suns are 18-19 when they put up triple digits.
The Suns have a defensive rating of 108.2 (ranked 29th). The Timberwolves rank 11th for their offensive rating of 104.8.
The Phoenix Suns average 100.5 possessions per game and .999 points per possession. The Minnesota Timberwolves earn fewer possessions with 97.4, but they score more points with 1.048.
The Minnesota Timberwolves average an effective field goal percentage of 49.5% this season. The Phoenix Suns have an abysmal record of 6-44 when opponents have an EFF% of 49.5% or greater.
On average, the Minnesota Timberwolves make 23.1 assists per game and the Phoenix Suns make 20.5. Minnesota is ranked eighth, while Phoenix is ranked 25th.
The Minnesota Timberwolves average 4.6 blocks per game for a rank of 17th. The Phoenix Suns rank lower (27th), earning 3.8 blocks each game.
The Minnesota Timberwolves rank 21st in offensive rebounding, while the Phoenix Suns also rank 21st in defensive rebounds.
On average, Minnesota makes 7.8 steals per game. Phoenix is an underachieving 15-48 when it allows at least 7 steals.
