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The 6-seed Phoenix Suns and 3-seed Minnesota Timberwolves meet in Game 2 of a best-of-7 Western Conference, 1st-round series Tuesday. The Timberwolves lead the series 1-0. Tip-off from Target Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Suns vs. Timberwolves odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Timberwolves howled at the moon as they eclipsed the Suns 120-95 in Game 1 Saturday. The Suns led 28-27 after 1 quarter but were outscored in each of the next 3. F Kevin Durant did his part with 31 points and 7 boards. G Devin Booker had an off night with 18 points on 5-for-16 shooting.
The T-Wolves smothered the Suns defensively, outrebounding them 52 to 28. The Wolves also won the paint battle with 52 points to their 34. C Rudy Gobert was the difference with 14 points and 16 boards. He didn’t block a shot, but he altered several in the paint. G Anthony Edwards had 33 points, on 4-for-8 from distance, 9 boards and 6 dimes. G Nickeil Alexander-Walker was also a menace with 18 points and 4 steals.
It’s hard to fathom a team with KD, Booker and G Bradley Beal could fail to have the depth to compete with the likes of Minnesota, but that is exactly what happened.
Suns at Timberwolves odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:19 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Suns +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Timberwolves -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Suns +3.5 (-115) | Timberwolves -3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 211.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Suns at Timberwolves key injuries
Suns
- G Grayson Allen (ankle) questionable
Timberwolves
- F Kyle Anderson (hip) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Suns at Timberwolves picks and predictions
Prediction
Timberwolves 114, Suns 109
Moneyline
We had a crazy stat going into Monday’s action. Between the NHL and NBA best-of-7 playoffs, the home teams were 14-0. A couple of NHL road teams ended that streak Monday night, but the home teams are still undefeated in the NBA.
I could see that trend ending Tuesday — but not in this game. The Suns are going to have to shoot the lights out or get Gobert in foul trouble in order to steal this one. I do see some regression from the Timberwolves, who shot 50% from the floor in Game 1, but they preserve home court.
Instead of taking the -155, let’s SGP the TIMBERWOLVES ML + ANTHONY EDWARDS 20 POINTS (-105). Upon logging into my BetMGM account, I had a 33% boost token for a minimum odds of -300. That made this SGP +126.
Against the spread
I’m foregoing the spread here. Some shops have already gone down to Minnesota laying 3 points instead of the 3.5. If that falls to 2.5, I’d entertain the idea.
PASS.
Over/Under
The Over 213.5 cruised in the 120-95 Game 1 finish. The Over is 7-3 in the last 10 matchups between the teams. Minnesota is 7-3 O/U in its last 10, and Phoenix is 5-5.
I like the OVER 211.5 (-115).
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