Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns Point Spread Picks

Phoenix has split four on this long road trip, winning at Milwaukee (129-114) and Indiana (123-108) with ease, while losing close ones at Toronto (122-115) and Boston (120-112) as underdogs. The Suns are on a 6-3 ATS run, including 3-1 ATS as a dog. The offense is ninth from 3-point range (36.3%) and 13th from the line (78.8%), while the defense is sixth in points allowed (111.3 per game) and second in defending the 3-pointer (34.5%). Minnesota is on a 1-4 SU/ATS skid, losing twice as a favorite, and comes home after a four-game trek. The offense is 28th from the free-throw line (74.9%), while the defense is 15th in points surrendered and 18th at defending beyond the arc (36%). Leading scorer Anthony Edwards (29.5 ppg) won't play (knee). The Timberwolves are on a 3-9 ATS run. Play Phoenix. 

Combine the Buccaneers (-400) and the Timberwolves (-450) into a 2-team parlay at -201 odds.

Two playoff hopefuls will clash tonight in Phoenix, as the Suns host the Timberwolves. Minnesota is 10-5 and has shot the ball very well, but the defense needs some work. The Suns are 9-6. This game may come down to shooting threes, since both teams like to shoot them. Phoenix has been better at defending the 3, allowing just 34% and that may be the difference. Both teams may be missing a key player: Jayden McDaniels for Minnesota and Grayson Allen for the Suns. Minnesota is 8-2 in its last 10 games, but is just 6-9 ATS in its 15 games on the season. The Suns have won and covered 6 of their last 7, and all six wins have been by nine or more points. I like Phoenix on the moneyline.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of five teams separated by three games, ranging in the standings from fourth to eighth. Minnesota has been playing well at 9-3 in their last 12 games, and they are also 9-3 ATS in those 12 games. The Suns are on the edge of the play-in round and need some wins. This should be an intense game, as each needs to keep winning. The Suns have been held back by their inability to win on the road, where they are a woeful 12-24 on the season. The Suns will be without Bradley Beal and his 17ppg tonight, and a floor leader, who will be missed on the road. Make the play on Minnesota.

Minnesota plays its fourth straight on the road. They're a defensive-first team, ranked sixth in the NBA in points given up and seventh in shooting allowed. The offense is 20th in scoring and in field goal shooting. They will have to lean on that defense as leading scorer Anthony Edwards (right calf soreness) and second-leading scorer Julius Randle are questionable to play while Rudy Gobert (11 ppg, 10.4 rpg) has been ruled out (back injury). Phoenix has injury problems as well, with third-leading scorer Bradley Beal questionable after missing the past two games with left calf tightness, plus Grayson Allen is dealing with a sore left foot. Take Minnesota/Phoenix UNDER the total.