Wolves at Suns: Game #67

Timberwolves vs Suns coverage

Wolves at Suns
9:00 CST
FS North

The Timberwolves face the Phoenix Suns tonight as the two teams battle to help determine team positioning in the ever-increasingly important tankathon as the end of the NBA season draws near. The Suns are coming in at 17-49 while the Wolves currently reside at 21-45. The series between the two teams is tied at 1-1, with each team taking a victory at their home court.

This game will, in somewhat of an understatement, be an offensive battle as both teams are near the bottom of the league in points allowed per game. The Suns are 29th in the league at 108.0 points per game allowed, giving up 128 and 116 twice in their last three games (all losses). The Wolves, on the other hand, are giving up 105.5 points but this number is a bit deceptive as it is buoyed by the team's strong defensive start in the beginning of the season when Kevin Garnett and Tayshaun Prince were playing significant minutes. Without KG playing, the Wolves are actually allowing 109.6 points per 100 possessions which would be good for the worst in the league.

Suffice to say, this will not be a game for the defensive-minded and we are likely to see a lot of points up on the board. The Suns have recently gotten Brandon Knight back after a groin injury sustained that was sustained in January kept him out for around two months. Knight played his first game as a starter on Saturday when the Suns face the Warriors and the Suns were actually able to hang with the Warriors for about three quarters until the Warriors rallied and put the game away in the 4th quarter

The Suns also have a heralded rookie of their own in Devin Booker, who was drafted with the 13th pick. Booker has taken advantage of his increased playing time due to the decimation of the Suns roster from injuries and has really come on of late, especially on the offensive end. In the last 10 games he has been averaging 20.5 points per game.

There is going to be a ton of young players getting significant minutes this game as Booker, Alex Len, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, and Karl-Anthony Towns will all be starting.

Interestingly, the Suns are also a match-up that the Wolves are more equipped to deal with in terms of the front court as the Suns are currently starting both Tyson Chandler and Alex Len. This will provide a great combination for Gorgui Dieng and Karl-Anthony Towns to deal with, as there aren't too many other teams in the league that are running out a two center line-up.

Brandon Knight has given the Wolves fits in the two games that they have played this year. The Wolves have been, to put it nicely, less than good at following three-point shooters around the court. However, without the dual threat of Knight and Eric Bledsoe the Wolves should have a much easier time following Knight around the court as can more straightforwardly just stick Rubio on him all game.

This is really a game that the Wolves should win, especially coming after the great win against the Thunder on Friday night. The Suns are one of the worst teams in the league and although they have been as up and down as the Wolves have been, the Timberwolves are likely a more talented team across the board.

We will also likely see Chase Budinger tonight, as he has recently signed on with the Suns for the rest of the year.

Expected Line-ups

Suns

Brandon Knight
Devin Booker
P.J. Tucker
Alex Len
Tyson Chandler

Wolves

Ricky Rubio
Zach LaVine
Andrew Wiggins
Gorgui Dieng
Karl-Anthony Towns

Our blogging friends are over at Bright Side Of The Sun.

No, no, and no.

Enjoy the game