The Phoenix Suns (33-32) will be at home when they challenge the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-48). Action begins at 10:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Mar. 11 and can be seen on FSN-N and FSN-AZ.
The Suns are are hoping for a better outcome after their 98-80 loss to the Warriors on Monday. Eric Bledsoe was the team’s leading scorer with 19 points. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after the 89-76 loss against the Clippers on Monday. Minnesota still lost despite the best efforts of Adreian Payne, who recorded his second double-double of the season with 16 points and 15 rebounds.
The attacking Timberwolves offense may see plenty of chances from the free throw line in this one. They rank fourth in the league at getting to the stripe (free throw attempt rate of 30.5), while Phoenix gets whistled quite a bit (giving up a 26th-ranked free throw attempt rate of 30.7).
The Suns lead the season series against the Timberwolves two games to one, but fell short the last time these two teams met, 111-109. Markieff Morris was the top overall scorer in the game with 31 points.
The odds for Phoenix and Minnesota are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. The Suns come into this game 33-32 Straight Up (SU) and 33-29-3 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 16-22 SU and 15-20-3 ATS against the Western Conference. The Suns have no trouble scoring as they rank third in the league in offense with 104.9 points per game. Turning to the defensive side, opponents have consistently had the ball stolen by the Suns, ranking fifth in the league in steals per game with 8.8. Phoenix is one of the league’s top scoring teams off turnovers with an average of 18.4 points per game.
As for their opponent, the Timberwolves have a record of 27-33-2 ATS and 14-48 SU. Against the Western Conference, Minnesota is 6-32 SU and 18-18-2 ATS. The Timberwolves get to the line and convert their free throws at a high volume, ranking fourth in the league with 1,211 made (19.5 per game). The Timberwolves have controlled the offensive glass with an average of 12.2 per game, third in the league. One advantage for the Timberwolves could be Phoenix’s high fouls per game average of 22.1.
In their previous meeting this season, Minnesota beat Phoenix, bringing the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over the last 10 meetings. On the other hand, the Timberwolves hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-3-1. Phoenix held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers one time in the last 10 matchups. On the other side of the court, Minnesota never accomplished this feat in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – PHX, ATS Winner – PHX
Notes
On average, Minnesota scores 97.6 points per game (ranked 22nd). Phoenix ranks 27th in points allowed per game with 104.7.
Minnesota puts up an average of 98.1 points per away game (ranked 14th). Phoenix ranks 29th in points allowed per home game with 103.8.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Suns are 16-5 on the season. When the Timberwolves score fewer than 100, they are an underachieving 5-30.
When Phoenix allows at least 100 points, it has a losing 17-27 record this season. Minnesota also has a losing record when it reaches the century mark (9-18).
The Timberwolves have a defensive rating of 107.6 (ranked 29th). The Suns rank 10th for their offensive rating of 104.0.
The Phoenix Suns average 100.9 possessions and 1.040 points per possession in games this season. The Minnesota Timberwolves average fewer possessions with 97.9, as well as fewer points per possession with .997.
Phoenix is among the top-ranked teams based on its average effective field goal percentage of 50.8% (ranked sixth in the NBA). Minnesota is an abysmal 7-37 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
The Phoenix Suns rank 27th with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.40. The Minnesota Timberwolves have a higher A/TO (1.56), ranking 20th.
The Phoenix Suns rebound 43.0 times per game and are ranked 18th. Ranked 23rd, the Minnesota Timberwolves rebound 42.1 times per game.
Phoenix is ranked 17th in defensive rebounds, while Minnesota ranks third in offensive rebounds.
Phoenix is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 15.3% (ranked eighth). Minnesota has an abysmal record of 6-19 SU this season when its TOV% reaches 15.3% or greater.
