Game 2 between the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves will take place Tuesday evening with the road team looking to even the series after a drubbing in Game 1. The Suns lost for the first time to the Timberwolves this season, and Minnesota looked like the home juggernaut it was during the regular season. If Monday’s games are any indication of how Game 2s are going to go in this first round, this should be a tight contest.
Grayson Allen, the league’s top three-point shooter by percentage, is listed as questionable for Phoenix. Kyle Anderson is questionable for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves are 3-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook with the total set at 211.5. Minnesota is -155 on the moneyline while Phoenix is +130.
Suns vs. Timberwolves, 7:30 p.m. ET
Pick ATS: Timberwolves -3
The Suns were 17-16 ATS after a loss during the regular season, and they’ll likely be able to shoot the ball better than they did in Saturday’s contest thanks to some extra rest. The Timberwolves went 25-29-2 ATS after a win. Phoenix is 7-9-1 ATS with 2-3 days off while Minnesota is 7-7 ATS in the same category.
The question remains as to whether the Suns can play defense at a high level for four quarters against this Timberwolves squad. Anthony Edwards went for 33 points in Game 1 and appeared to get whatever shot he wanted without much trouble, something the Suns cannot allow to happen in Game 2. While I do believe this contest will be closer than Game 1, I don’t see the Timberwolves falling off too much offensively. I’ll back Minnesota to cover.
Over/Under: Over 211.5
Two of the three meetings in the regular season went over this line and Game 1 also went over this line. I expect the Suns to play slightly better defense but that should be balanced out a bit by them putting some more points on the board. Minnesota is clicking on all cylinders after Game 1 and even with some adjustments from Phoenix, I don’t think the Timberwolves go completely cold from the floor. Give me the over in Game 2.