Timberwolves vs. Suns Prediction, Preview, and Betting Odds: Can Minnesota Stay Hot in Phoenix?

Minnesota Timberwolves (25-21 SU, 18-27 ATS) vs. Phoenix Suns (24-21 SU, 16-28 ATS)

When: Wednesday, January 29th, 9:00 PM (ET)

Where: Footprint Center, AZ, Phoenix

TV: AZFa

Point Spread: Min -1.5/Pho +1.5

Total: 217

Money Line: Minnesota Timberwolves -125/+106

Notable Injuries

Timberwolves

• Donte DiVincenzo (Out) Toe
• Rob Dillingham (Questionable) Illness
• Terrence Shannon Jr. (Out) Foot

Suns

• Kevin Durant (Questionable) Thumb
• Ryan Dunn (Questionable) Ankle

At 9:00 ET, the Timberwolves (-125) will be in Phoenix to take on the Suns (+106) in a Western Conference matchup. Minnesota is currently favored by 1.5 points and has won three straight games. The over/under line for this game is set at 217.

Both teams are currently 8th in their respective conferences, with the Timberwolves at 25-21 and the Suns at 24-21. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 ET and can be seen on AZFa.

Recent Form

With a 100-92 win over the Hawks on Monday, the Timberwolves improved to 25-21 this season. Minnesota was favored by 10.5 points at home but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 192, well under the 217.5 O/U line.

A key moment came when the Timberwolves went on an 11-0 run, stretching their lead from 42-35 to 53-35. The Hawks fought back in the 3rd quarter, outscoring Minnesota 31-20, but the Timberwolves held them to 18 points in the 4th to secure the win.

The Suns improved to 24-21 on the season after a 111-109 win over the Clippers on Monday. Phoenix, who were +1 point underdogs, covered the spread with the win. The total points for the game were 220, falling just under the pre-game line of 225.

At home, the Suns took control early, leading 60-47 at halftime. The Clippers fought back, outscoring Phoenix 31-23 in the 3rd quarter. In the 4th, the Clippers went on a 10-0 run, but the Suns held on for the win, despite being outscored 31-28 in the final period.

The Historicals

Across the previous five meetings between the teams, the Timberwolves have an average scoring margin of +12 points per game, leading to an ATS mark of 4-1. Over the course of these games, they averaged 224 points per game, leading a 4-1 over-under record.

Analysis

The Timberwolves managed just 100 points in their win over the Hawks, shooting 39.5% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc, hitting 12 threes. Anthony Edwards led the way with 23 points, despite shooting 30% from the field and 18.2% from three.

Edwards scored 12 of his points in the 3rd quarter, while Julius Randle added 20 points, including 7 in the 2nd and 6 in the 4th. Rudy Gobert was efficient, shooting 77.8% and contributing 18 points, with 6 coming in the final period.

The Timberwolves put on a defensive clinic against the Hawks, holding them to just 92 points on Monday. They gave up 20 points in the 1st quarter and 23 in the 2nd, with their best effort coming in the 4th, where they allowed only 18 points. Minnesota limited Atlanta to 39% shooting from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Timberwolves held the Hawks to 27% shooting, with just 12 made threes. Minnesota also sent Atlanta to the line 18 times, where they made 12 free throws. The Timberwolves finished with 13 steals and four blocks.

The Suns connected on 22 threes at a 46.8% clip in their win over the Clippers, with Devin Booker hitting five from deep and Kevin Durant and Grayson Allen each adding 4. Booker finished with 26 points and eight assists, while Durant contributed 24 points.

Allen chipped in 18 points, shooting 60% from the field, and Tyus Jones added 17, with 9 of those coming in the 1st quarter. As a team, the Suns shot 47.1% overall, with their three-point shooting standing out as a key factor in the victory.

Defensively, the Suns shined in the 2nd quarter, holding the Clippers to just 17 points, which helped them secure a 111-109 win despite allowing 31 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters. Overall, they gave up 109 points on 49% shooting from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Suns limited the Clippers to 10 made threes on 31% shooting. They also sent the Clippers to the line 20 times, where they made 17 free throws. The Suns recorded 10 steals and five blocks in the game.

Betting Trends

• Across their last three road contests, Minnesota has been good against the spread posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 2-1, while averaging 112 points per game.
• Across their last three home contests, Phoenix has been good against the spread posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 2-1, while averaging 108 points per game.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Phoenix has an ATS mark of 3-7 while going 2-8 straight up.
• In their last three games as the betting favorite, the Timberwolves have a straight up record of 2-1, while going 0-3 against the spread.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

As we get closer to the trade deadline, the rumors about Bradley Beal continue to swirl for a Suns squad that is battling with the Timberwolves for the 7th seed in the West. Right now, Minnesota is favored by -1.5 on the road. The big thing to watch before this one is the health status of Kevin Durant, as he is questionable. I see the Wolves going into Phoenix and leaving with the win. I am going with Minnesota to win and cover the spread.