After a thorough 120-95 victory in Game 1, the Minnesota Timberwolves aim to claim a 2-0 series lead over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
The highly anticipated meeting between Phoenix’s Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and Karl-Anthony Towns was a party in Game 1, but only for one side. Minnesota demolished the Phoenix 120-95, giving their fans hope that perhaps this is the year the Timberwolves finally make a deep postseason run.
Heading into Game 2, the NBA Playoffs odds cling to Minnesota but expect a much tighter match. The Wolves are -2.5 favourites.
Suns vs. Timberwolves NBA Betting Odds
Minnesota was already the favourite to win the series, and the Game 1 victory has propelled them to -160, with the Suns lagging at +135.
As for the number of games in which the series will conclude, there is a very interesting prop predicting the Timberwolves will finish the deed in five game (+350). What makes that stand out is that the prop saying the Wolves will require six games is at +550, meaning it’s less likely. So KD, Booker, and Bradley Beal actually offering less resistance seems the more likely outcome as per the NBA odds. Interesting.
Minnesota doesn’t have much experience in these situations. They’ve only recently ascended to the status of Western Conference heavyweight, meaning they don’t start many playoff series at home. Last year they only won a single game against the Nuggets in Round 1 and that was when they trailed 3-0.
The Suns were down 0-1 twice last spring. They bounced back from a Game 1 defeat to the L.A. Clippers to take the first round series 4-1 but fell into a deeper hole in the second round versus the Nuggets, losing Game 2.
For the Wolves, Kyle Anderson (hip) is still listed as day-to-day as of Monday morning, so there’s time for him to get ready for Tuesday night.
As if the Game 1 performance wasn’t problematic enough, the Suns may be without Grayson Allen (ankle) on Tuesday.
Phoenix Suns
In a bizarre twist, the opening salvo of this series was both everything Suns fans would want to see from their club and a lot hinting that winning is going to be extremely difficult.
Would you believe that the Suns played well enough to win the first quarter and that Durant finished with 31 points off 11-for-17 shooting? Would you believe that, for once, they weren’t a disastrous operation in the fourth quarter, their Achilles heel all season? All true, and yet none of it mattered because they were buzz sawed in the second and third periods. When your leading scorer also finishes with a minus-20, that’s rather telling.
The aforementioned Booker and Beal never really factored in (18 and 15 points, respectively), and Jusuf Nurkic was neither the defensive or offensive paint presence the team needed (nine points, four rebounds).
Minnesota Timberwolves
There are still three more wins to finish the series, but this was a heck of a way for the oft-overlooked Timberwolves to start their playoffs. Perennially a franchise for whom few gave the time of day, the 2024 postseason version looks like dynamite.
Anthony Edwards has come into his own. Not just because he’s a brilliant player, but because he appears to have learned a few lessons from the past. The hooting and hollering early in the 2021 first round series versus Memphis, only to lose 4-2, was a bad look. The current day Edwards scores, plays defence, and talks loudly on the court but respectfully off it. Look no further than his praise of KD after the game…also after yelling in his face.
Edwards led with 33 points, Towns is starting to look like himself again in limited minutes (19 points) and Rudy Gobert towered with 16 boards. Both Nickeil Alexander-Walker 918 points) and Naz Reid (12 points) excelled off the bench.
NBA Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Suns vs. Timberwolves Game 2?
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SUNS
102 -
TIMBERWOLVES
108
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 20 Apr 10:38pm | MIN | -2.5 -115 | O +213.5 -110 |
| Closing 24 Apr 2:08am | MIN | -13.5 -130 | U +205.5 -130 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Suns Team Leaders
| Points |
27.09 |
| Assists |
6.94 |
| Rebounds |
11.01 |
| FG% |
69.6 |
| Steals |
1.07 |
| Blocks |
1.21 |
| Points |
25.94 |
| Assists |
5.91 |
| Rebounds |
12.92 |
| FG% |
66.1 |
| Steals |
1.28 |
| Blocks |
2.13 |
| Points |
27.5 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
8.25 |
| FG% |
60 |
| Steals |
1.75 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
27.56 |
| Assists |
6.5 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
83.3 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.13 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Timberwolves Team Leaders
| Points |
27.09 |
| Assists |
6.94 |
| Rebounds |
11.01 |
| FG% |
69.6 |
| Steals |
1.07 |
| Blocks |
1.21 |
| Points |
25.94 |
| Assists |
5.91 |
| Rebounds |
12.92 |
| FG% |
66.1 |
| Steals |
1.28 |
| Blocks |
2.13 |
| Points |
27.5 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
8.25 |
| FG% |
60 |
| Steals |
1.75 |
| Blocks |
1.5 |
| Points |
27.56 |
| Assists |
6.5 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
83.3 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.13 |
Injuries
Grayson Allen (SG)
Eric Gordon (SG)
Drew Eubanks (PF)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Grayson Allen (SG)
Bradley Beal (SG)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Royce O'Neale (SF)
Mike Conley (PG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Mike Conley (PG)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG)
Monte Morris (PG)
Rudy Gobert (C)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grayson Allen (SG) | Out Sun | Ankle - 22 / 04 / 24 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Allen is nursing a right ankle injury, and he will not be active against the Timberwolves for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round. |
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| Eric Gordon (SG) | Prob Sat | Migraine - 14 / 04 / 24 | 1-4 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Gordon is battling a migraine, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Timberwolves. |
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| Drew Eubanks (PF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 | 2-4 | 4-2 | + - |
|
Eubanks is dealing with right ankle soreness, but it is likely that he will take part in Sunday's battle versus the Timberwolves. |
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| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 08 / 04 / 24 | 2-6 | 4-4 | + - |
|
Nurkic missed the last game with a right ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will be available Wednesday against the Clippers. |
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| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Ques Fri | Calf - 04 / 04 / 24 | 5-6 | 5-6 | + - |
|
Nurkic is nursing left calf soreness, and it is unknown if he will suit up Friday against the Timberwolves. |
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| Grayson Allen (SG) | Prob Fri | Hip - 02 / 04 / 24 | 5-6 | 5-6 | + - |
|
Allen missed the last game hampered by left hip soreness, but he is expected to be active for Friday's battle with the Timberwolves. |
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| Bradley Beal (SG) | Prob Wed | Finger - 26 / 03 / 24 | 6-8 | 6-8 | + - |
|
Beal is nursing a sprained right ring finger, but it is predicted that he will participate in Wednesday's battle with the Nuggets. |
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| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 25 / 03 / 24 | 7-8 | 7-8 | + - |
|
Nurkic missed the last clash with a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will face the Thunder on Friday. |
|||||
| Jusuf Nurkic (C) | Prob Sat | Eye - 22 / 03 / 24 | 9-8 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Nurkic is hindered by an orbital contusion, but it is anticipated that he will battle the Spurs on Saturday. |
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| Royce O'Neale (SF) | Prob Thurs | Shoulder - 21 / 03 / 24 | 9-9 | 9-9 | + - |
|
O'Neale is battling a right shoulder contusion, but it is anticipated that he will partake in Thursday's matchup with the Hawks. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Conley (PG) | Ques Thur | Achilles - 29 / 05 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Conley is hampered by a achilles injury, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. |
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| Mike Conley (PG) | Prob Tues | Academics - 28 / 05 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Conley has an achilles injury, but he is likely to be on court against the Mavericks in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. |
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| Mike Conley (PG) | Prob Sun | Achilles - 25 / 05 / 24 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Conley is battling with a right soleus strain, but he is likely to be on court against the Mavericks in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. |
|||||
| Mike Conley (PG) | Ques Fri | Achilles - 23 / 05 / 24 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Conley has an achilles injury, and it is unclear if he will play Friday's clash against the Mavericks for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. |
|||||
| Mike Conley (PG) | Prob Wed | Achilles - 21 / 05 / 24 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Conley is battling with a left soleus strain, but he is projected to be in Wednesday's contest against the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals |
|||||
| Mike Conley (PG) | Prob Sun | Achilles - 18 / 05 / 24 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Conley is managing a right soleus strain, but he is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Mike Conley (PG) | Prob Thurs | Achilles - 14 / 05 / 24 | 3-5 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Conley is hampered by an right Achilles injury, but he is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 24 | 4-6 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Alexander-Walker is managing a left shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. |
|||||
| Monte Morris (PG) | Ques Fri | Finger - 07 / 05 / 24 | 5-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Morris is nursing a right index finger sprain, and it is uncertain if he will be available for Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Nuggets. |
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| Rudy Gobert (C) | Prob Fri | Personal - 06 / 05 / 24 | 5-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Gobert was tending to a personal matter, but he is projected to play Game 3 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 20 Apr 10:38pm MIN -2.5 -115 O +213.5 -110 Closing 24 Apr 2:08am MIN -13.5 -130 U +205.5 -130 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Suns Team Leaders
Points 27.09
Assists 6.94
Rebounds 11.01
FG% 69.6
Steals 1.07
Blocks 1.21
Points 25.94
Assists 5.91
Rebounds 12.92
FG% 66.1
Steals 1.28
Blocks 2.13
Points 27.5
Assists 6
Rebounds 8.25
FG% 60
Steals 1.75
Blocks 1.5
Points 27.56
Assists 6.5
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 83.3
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.13
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- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Timberwolves Team Leaders
Points 27.09
Assists 6.94
Rebounds 11.01
FG% 69.6
Steals 1.07
Blocks 1.21
Points 25.94
Assists 5.91
Rebounds 12.92
FG% 66.1
Steals 1.28
Blocks 2.13
Points 27.5
Assists 6
Rebounds 8.25
FG% 60
Steals 1.75
Blocks 1.5
Points 27.56
Assists 6.5
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 83.3
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.13
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Injuries
Grayson Allen (SG)
Out Sun Ankle - 22 / 04 / 24Eric Gordon (SG)
Prob Sat Migraine - 14 / 04 / 24Drew Eubanks (PF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Wed Ankle - 08 / 04 / 24Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Ques Fri Calf - 04 / 04 / 24Grayson Allen (SG)
Prob Fri Hip - 02 / 04 / 24Bradley Beal (SG)
Prob Wed Finger - 26 / 03 / 24Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Fri Ankle - 25 / 03 / 24Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Prob Sat Eye - 22 / 03 / 24Royce O'Neale (SF)
Prob Thurs Shoulder - 21 / 03 / 24Mike Conley (PG)
Ques Thur Achilles - 29 / 05 / 24Mike Conley (PG)
Prob Tues Academics - 28 / 05 / 24Mike Conley (PG)
Prob Sun Achilles - 25 / 05 / 24Mike Conley (PG)
Ques Fri Achilles - 23 / 05 / 24Mike Conley (PG)
Prob Wed Achilles - 21 / 05 / 24Mike Conley (PG)
Prob Sun Achilles - 18 / 05 / 24Mike Conley (PG)
Prob Thurs Achilles - 14 / 05 / 24Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 24Monte Morris (PG)
Ques Fri Finger - 07 / 05 / 24Rudy Gobert (C)
Prob Fri Personal - 06 / 05 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Grayson Allen (SG) Out Sun Ankle - 22 / 04 / 24 0-3 2-1 + - Allen is nursing a right ankle injury, and he will not be active against the Timberwolves for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round.
Eric Gordon (SG) Prob Sat Migraine - 14 / 04 / 24 1-4 3-2 + - Gordon is battling a migraine, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Timberwolves.
Drew Eubanks (PF) Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24 2-4 4-2 + - Eubanks is dealing with right ankle soreness, but it is likely that he will take part in Sunday's battle versus the Timberwolves.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Prob Wed Ankle - 08 / 04 / 24 2-6 4-4 + - Nurkic missed the last game with a right ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will be available Wednesday against the Clippers.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Ques Fri Calf - 04 / 04 / 24 5-6 5-6 + - Nurkic is nursing left calf soreness, and it is unknown if he will suit up Friday against the Timberwolves.
Grayson Allen (SG) Prob Fri Hip - 02 / 04 / 24 5-6 5-6 + - Allen missed the last game hampered by left hip soreness, but he is expected to be active for Friday's battle with the Timberwolves.
Bradley Beal (SG) Prob Wed Finger - 26 / 03 / 24 6-8 6-8 + - Beal is nursing a sprained right ring finger, but it is predicted that he will participate in Wednesday's battle with the Nuggets.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Prob Fri Ankle - 25 / 03 / 24 7-8 7-8 + - Nurkic missed the last clash with a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will face the Thunder on Friday.
Jusuf Nurkic (C) Prob Sat Eye - 22 / 03 / 24 9-8 8-9 + - Nurkic is hindered by an orbital contusion, but it is anticipated that he will battle the Spurs on Saturday.
Royce O'Neale (SF) Prob Thurs Shoulder - 21 / 03 / 24 9-9 9-9 + - O'Neale is battling a right shoulder contusion, but it is anticipated that he will partake in Thursday's matchup with the Hawks.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Mike Conley (PG) Ques Thur Achilles - 29 / 05 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Conley is hampered by a achilles injury, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
Mike Conley (PG) Prob Tues Academics - 28 / 05 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Conley has an achilles injury, but he is likely to be on court against the Mavericks in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.
Mike Conley (PG) Prob Sun Achilles - 25 / 05 / 24 1-3 3-1 + - Conley is battling with a right soleus strain, but he is likely to be on court against the Mavericks in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
Mike Conley (PG) Ques Fri Achilles - 23 / 05 / 24 2-3 3-2 + - Conley has an achilles injury, and it is unclear if he will play Friday's clash against the Mavericks for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
Mike Conley (PG) Prob Wed Achilles - 21 / 05 / 24 2-3 3-2 + - Conley is battling with a left soleus strain, but he is projected to be in Wednesday's contest against the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals
Mike Conley (PG) Prob Sun Achilles - 18 / 05 / 24 3-3 3-3 + - Conley is managing a right soleus strain, but he is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Mike Conley (PG) Prob Thurs Achilles - 14 / 05 / 24 3-5 5-3 + - Conley is hampered by an right Achilles injury, but he is expected to play against the Nuggets in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (SG) Ques Sun Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 24 4-6 6-4 + - Alexander-Walker is managing a left shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Monte Morris (PG) Ques Fri Finger - 07 / 05 / 24 5-6 6-5 + - Morris is nursing a right index finger sprain, and it is uncertain if he will be available for Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Nuggets.
Rudy Gobert (C) Prob Fri Personal - 06 / 05 / 24 5-6 6-5 + - Gobert was tending to a personal matter, but he is projected to play Game 3 of the Western Conference second round against the Nuggets.