Struggling Phoenix Visits Twin Cities
Friday’s NBA action features a matchup between the Phoenix Suns (21-22) and Minnesota Timberwolves (20-22). After entering the season with playoff expectations, both teams have struggled and are in danger of missing the postseason with sub-.500 records.
The Suns are 2-7 and 3-6 against the spread (ATS) since star guard Devin Booker suffered a groin injury on Christmas. The Timberwolves have been without big man Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) for over one month and are 4-1 outright and ATS in their last five games. Will Minnesota continue its hot streak against the stumbling Suns?
Let’s check the latest NBA odds, stats, injury report and NBA lines for Suns vs Timberwolves. We’ve plenty of NBA betting odds for you to consider.
Short-Handed Suns Causing Panic
Before Christmas, the Suns were 19-14 and squarely in the playoff conversation. Since then, injuries have quickly piled. Forward Cameron Johnson (13 points) has been out since Nov. 4 with a knee injury. Booker aggravated a groin injury on Christmas and will be out until at least the final week of January. Key reserve Cameron Payne (12.1 points) has missed four consecutive games with a foot injury and will likely miss two more weeks.
It doesn’t stop there. Wing Landry Shamet (9.6 points) has been absent in the last two games due to a hip injury. Center Deandre Ayton (17.5 points and 9.8 rebounds) has missed the last two with an ankle injury, and point guard Chris Paul (13.1 points and 8.3 assists) has missed three consecutive games with an ankle injury.
In Wednesday’s 126-97 loss against the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix had guard Duane Washington Jr. (8.3 points), forward Dario Saric (4.7 points) and center Bismack Biyombo (3.7 points) in the starting lineup. This has turned into a nightmare scenario for the Suns. Making the playoffs is now in question as they sit in seventh place with +1800 odds to win the championship. Ayton, Paul and Shamet are questionable for Friday’s game.
Minnesota Back on Track?
The Timberwolves have started the new year with a bang. After losing six consecutive games while going 1-5 ATS, Minnesota has turned it around with a 4-1 record in the last five games. The offense has especially improved averaging 117.4 points during the stretch.
Guard Anthony Edwards’ role has increased amid injuries. He has scored at least 20 points in 11 of the last 12 games, including five games with 30 or more points. Edwards could be a great prop bet against the Suns, who just allowed the Nuggets to shoot 56.5% from the field.
The Wolves come off a disappointing 135-118 loss against the Detroit Pistons, which snapped their four-game winning streak. The defense turned in a stinker, allowing Detroit to shoot 60% and 17 of 32 on 3-pointers. Perimeter defense continues to be an issue, as Minnesota ranks 29th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage and allowed 3-pointers per game.
On Friday, Towns will be out once again as he recovers from a calf injury. Forward Kyle Anderson, who is a key defensive piece, is questionable after missing Wednesday’s game with an illness.
Suns vs Timberwolves Game Injuries
Suns vs Timberwolves Head-to-Head
The Suns are on a six-game winning streak against the Wolves while going 5-1 ATS. Phoenix has also won five consecutive games in Minnesota. This season, the Suns have beaten the Wolves by an average margin of 10.5 points while shooting a combined 42.3% on 3-pointers.
Suns vs Timberwolves Game Information
- Game: Suns vs Timberwolves
- Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
- Day/Time: Friday, Jan. 13th, 8 p.m. ET
- Suns vs. Timberwolves Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
Suns vs Timberwolves Betting Lines
Suns vs Timberwolves Picks & Prediction
The Suns have a big advantage from three, ranking third in 3-point percentage while Minnesota is 29th in opponent 3-point percentage. However, Phoenix could without Johnson, Paul, Shamet, Payne, and Booker, who all shoot 37% or better from deep. The Suns’ 3-point shooting is far from normal; they shot 28.1% on threes against the Nuggets on Wednesday.
Phoenix simply does not have enough right now. The Wolves have covered three consecutive games at home, while the Suns are 2-4 ATS in their last six away games. Take Minnesota to cover.
Timberwolves is listed at -200 in our Vegas NBA lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Timberwolves, you have a chance to win $50. Suns is +170, offering a chance to win $170 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Timberwolves a 66.67% chance to win, with the Suns at 37.04%.
Suns vs Timberwolves Trends
Suns vs Timberwolves Edge
Suns vs Timberwolves Results
Suns vs Timberwolves Game Summary
Suns vs Timberwolves Previous Game (Nov. 09, 2022)
The Phoenix Suns and the Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off games in which they struggled. Neither team was completely healthy or without distractions, which likely led to the losses.
The Suns have had a successful season with a 7-3 record, but lost their last game, to the Philadelphia 76ers 100-88. Injuries are starting to mount. The Timberwolves were without Rudy Gobert because of health and safety protocols as they fell flat to the New York Knicks 120-107.
Suns vs Timberwolves Game Summary
