Game: Minnesota Timberwolves @ Phoenix Suns
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Odds: TWolves +6, Suns -6
Total: 235.5
For the Phoenix Suns, everything is looking good as it appears that star player Kevin Durant will be back in the starting lineup for tonight’s game against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves. Durant, who was acquired from the Brooklyn Nets at the trade deadline last month, played three road games before sustaining a sprained left ankle on March 8. Phoenix (40-35) has gone 4-6 without Durant in the lineup but is still in the running for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The two-time Finals MVP has been eagerly anticipated by Suns supporters to make his home debut.
It’s a good thing that Durant has joined the team at this point because the Suns seem to be on the right track. Phoenix defeated the Utah Jazz 117-103 on Monday to earn its second straight victory. The Suns outscored Utah 57-25 in bench points, with Devin Booker scoring 24 points to lead the way. Deandre Ayton scored 14 points upon his return from a four-game absence due to a bruised hip, while backups Terrence Ross, Cameron Payne, and Bismack Biyombo combined for 36. Phoenix has benefited from their bench over the past week, but Booker has averaged 31.7 points in the 10 games without Durant.
Phoenix has defeated Minnesota(39-37) in two of their first three games this year. The Suns are currently fourth in the West while the Timberwolves are a half-game out of a guaranteed playoff spot. Minnesota is currently seventh behind sixth-place Golden State.
The Timberwolves defeated the Sacramento Kings 119-115 on Monday to extend their winning streak to four games. Jaden McDaniels led the Wolves with 20 points. Karl-Anthony Towns missed the game as the team is managing his right calf injury. He should be available against the Suns.
Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 16 rebounds, Anthony Edwards had 17 points, and Naz Reid scored 18 points in the victory over Sacramento. With the victory, Minnesota is just 1.5 games behind the currently fourth-seeded Suns.
Reid, who is averaging 20.2 points off the bench in the previous five games, is the reason for the Wolves’ recent run. He has been hitting a number of big shots and playing great defense as well.
The Suns are just 3-6 SU and 2-7 ATS in their last nine games. They have, however, had great success against Minnesota recently. Phoenix is 6-1 SU in the last seven games and 8-2 in the last ten against the TWolves. The Suns have also covered the last five straight in the series.
Minnesota is 5-0 in its last five games against teams from the West. They are also 7-2 ATS in their last nine road games. In their current four-game win streak, the TWolves averaged 120.8 points per game. That was with a 99-96 win over Golden State. Six of Minnesota’s last nine have gone Over the total. The Over has also hit in five of the Suns’ last six games.
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