The Minnesota Timberwolves will be looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Phoenix Suns when the two teams meet on Friday night. This series was supposed to be one of the best in the First Round, but it hasn’t played out that way.
Minnesota finished as the number three seed in the Western Conference this season, but could have ended up on top. The Timberwolves were dominant in their first two home games of the series, and will now look to steal a game on the road.
The Phoenix Suns were not able to steal home court advantage from Minnesota, but now their focus is on protecting their own home floor. Phoenix did finish the regular season at 49-33 on the year, but there is now a ton of pressure on them in this game.
The Suns are 4.5-point betting favorites in Game 3 on Friday night, and the over/under line is set at 207.5 total points.
Timberwolves Playing Tough
The Minnesota Timberwolves have taken control of this game on the defensive end of the floor, but they have also been playing great on offense. Minnesota wants to protect the paint, and Rudy Gobert has been an enforcer up to this point.
Anthony Edwards is proving why he is one of the best young players in the league, and he has gotten some help as well. Edwards is averaging 24 points per game, and he has also done a great job of setting up his teammates.
Minnesota has a terrific bench that has played well in this series, and that’s another reason that the Timberwolves have had some big games on offense in this one.
Suns Must Make Shots
Kevin Durant is scoring over 24 points per game so far in this series for the Suns, but he’s the only one shooting the ball well. Phoenix is averaging just 94 points per game in this series, and that’s not going to get the job done.
The Suns are not able to find any good scoring opportunities in the paint, and they are making just 25 percent of their shots from deep. Phoenix will need everyone on this roster to score, especially Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
Phoenix has never been a good defensive team this season, and that has been evident throughout this series. The Suns need to find a way to slow down the Timberwolves and make life more difficult for them.
Suns Stay in Series
There is no pressure on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the series, but this team is now looking to deliver a massive blow. Minnesota has been the tougher team throughout the first two games, but things will get tougher on the road.
This Phoenix Suns team is going to find a way to respond in this game as they just have too many proven veterans on the roster. Phoenix is going to make enough shots to put pressure on the Minnesota defense, and eventually they will break through.
Bet the Phoenix Suns at -4.5 in this game as they will find a way to win big to get back into the series.
