The Phoenix Suns will attempt to get back into its first round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves when the teams square off in Game 3 on Friday at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. The Suns enter the game in an 0-2 hole in the best-of-seven series in the 2024 NBA playoffs, which is an unfamiliar spot for this team. The last two seasons they reached the Western Conference finals, and three years ago they famously made the NBA Finals, losing to the Bucks. The Timberwolves also are in an unfamiliar spot. This is just the second time in franchise history that they've been up 2-0 in a series.
Tipoff is at 10:30 p.m. ET. Phoenix is listed as a 5.5-point favorite in the latest Suns vs. Timberwolves odds while the over/under for total points scored is 208 Before making any Timberwolves vs. Suns picks or NBA predictions, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 90-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following the model has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Suns vs. Timberwolves and just locked in its picks and Game 3 predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Timberwolves vs. Suns:
- Suns vs. Timberwolves spread: Phoenix -5.5
- Suns vs. Timberwolves over/under: 208 points
- Suns vs. Timberwolves money line: Phoenix -254, Minnesota +204
- MIN: Timberwolves led the NBA in defensive efficiency (108.4 points per 100 possessions) in the regular season
- PHX: Kevin Durant ranked fifth in the league in scoring (27.1 points per game)
- Suns vs. Timberwolves picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Suns can cover
Despite the results of the first two games of the series, Phoenix knows it owned Minnesota during the regular season, winning all three matchups between the teams. In those three games, the Suns' margin of victory was 15.7 points. That includes a 19-point win in Minneapolis in the regular season finale when the Timberwolves could've locked up the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a victory.
In addition, Kevin Durant remains an elite scorer. The 14-time NBA All-Star ranked fifth in the league in scoring (27.1 points per game) during the regular season. Through the first two playoff games, he is averaging 24.5 points and shooting 53.1% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the 3-point arc. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Why the Timberwolves can cover
Minnesota has done an excellent job so far in this series in locking up Devin Booker. The four-time NBA All-Star ranked sixth in the NBA in scoring during the regular season (27.1 points per game). However through two games the Timberwolves have limited him to 19.0 points a game, 37.9% shooting from the field and 25.0% shooting from 3-point range.
In addition, Minnesota could face a Phoenix team that may be without one of its top contributors, Grayson Allen. Early in the third quarter of Game 2, the sharpshooting Allen aggravated an ankle injury early and was forced to miss the rest of the game. He is listed as questionable to play in Game 3. If he is unable to go, his absence would be a significant loss for the Suns as he led the NBA in 3-point percentage (46.1) during the regular season. See which team to back at SportsLine.
How to make Suns vs. Timberwolves picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 219 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits nearly 70% of the time. You can see the picks only at SportsLine.
So who wins Timberwolves vs. Suns, and which side of the spread hits nearly 70% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Suns vs. Timberwolves spread you need to jump on, all from the model on a 90-58 roll on top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.
