The Phoenix Suns (38-9) host the Minnesota Timberwolves (24-24) Friday at the Footprint Center for a 9 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we look at the Timberwolves vs. Suns odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Minnesota is playing its second game in as many nights. The Timberwolves lost 124-115 at the Golden State Warriors as 6.5-point road underdogs Thursday. Since Jan. 16, the T-Wolves are 4-2 straight-up (SU) and 2-4 against the spread (ATS).
Phoenix is on an 8-game winning streak (5-3 ATS), which includes back-to-back victories in a home-and-away series with the Utah Jazz Monday and Wednesday.
The Suns (-4) eked past the T-Wolves 99-96, but failed to cover as road favorites in their first meeting Nov. 15.
Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA January 28 breakdown
Timberwolves at Suns odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:19 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Timberwolves +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Suns -400 (bet $400 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Timberwolves +7.5 (-107) | Suns -7.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 230.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Timberwolves at Suns key injuries
Timberwolves
- PG Patrick Beverley (ankle) questionable
- SG Jaylen Nowell (sacrum) probable
- PG D’Angelo Russell (shin) questionable
- PF Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) questionable
Suns
- C Deandre Ayton (ankle) out
- PF Jae Crowder (wrist) out
- C JaVale McGee (knee) out
- PG Cameron Payne (wrist) out
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Timberwolves at Suns odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 118, Timberwolves 114
Money line
PASS with a heavy “lean” toward the Timberwolves (+300). I like Minnesota plus the points and generally will sprinkle on an underdog’s money line when betting them to cover the spread.
Against the spread
BET TIMBERWOLVES +7.5 (-107) for 1 unit.
The Suns -8.5 are without two bigs in starter Ayton and backup McGee, so expect a big game for Minnesota C Karl-Anthony Towns against Phoenix C Bismack Biyombo, who just signed with the club this January.
KAT was sensational in Minnesota’s loss to Phoenix earlier this season, scoring 35 points on 10-for-19 shooting with 13 rebounds against a fully loaded Suns squad.
The reason Phoenix won outright was that T-Wolves SF Anthony Edwards had an uncharacteristically bad night. He scored just 9 points on 2-for-11 shooting and committed 6 turnovers.
However, Edwards has been ballin’ lately, averaging 23.9 points on 61.2% true shooting (.474/.388/.836) with a 117 offensive rating in January.
Edwards loves to attack the rim and paint. Phoenix’s only good rim protector is McGee. Opponents shoot 2.2% better at the rim when Biyombo is on the floor.
Finally, there’s a line freeze in the betting market since a vast majority of the action is on the Suns, according to Pregame.com and the Yahoo! Sports app. Phoenix opened as a 9-point favorite and it’s a red flag whenever sportsbooks make the more popular side cheaper.
BET the TIMBERWOLVES +7.5 (-107) for 1 unit.
Over/Under
SLIGHT LEAN to the OVER 230.5 (-112) for a small wager if at all, because I prefer the Minnesota side more than the total.
Over the past two weeks, the T-Wolves are fifth in adjusted-offensive rating and the Suns are second. Also, both teams play at a top-eight pace.
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