Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Timberwolves vs Suns: Odds, injuries, and what to watch for

By Ben Beecken

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 8: Ricky Rubio #11 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He may not play in this one, but it's an excuse to post a picture of Ricky Rubio. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 8: Ricky Rubio #11 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He may not play in this one, but it's an excuse to post a picture of Ricky Rubio. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Minnesota Timberwolves play host to the surprising Phoenix Suns on Saturday as they try to bounce back from Wednesday’s loss to Utah.

It may come as a surprise to some people that the Minnesota Timberwolves sit above the .500 mark through 15 games.

But it’s probably even more surprising that the Phoenix Suns sit at 7-7, especially with last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Deandre Ayton, sidelined since the season opener due to a violation of the NBA’s anti-drug policy.

Devin Booker has been awesome on offense and passable on defense, Ricky Rubio has done a great job running the point, and Aron Baynes has put up career numbers in a newly-expanded role.

On Saturday afternoon at Target Center, however, Baynes will not play due to a hip injury and Rubio is listed as doubtful with back spasms. The Suns lost in New Orleans on Thursday without that duo available, and their absence would absolutely have an impact in this one.

For their part, Minnesota will be without Robert Covington, who will miss the game due to personal reasons, and Jake Layman, who remains out with a toe injury.

The Wolves split a home-and-home with the Utah Jazz earlier this week and are coming off of a home loss on Wednesday, looking to pick up a win before heading on the road for six of their next seven games.

Timberwolves odds against the Suns

  • Favorite: Timberwolves (-4.5)
  • Over/under: 233
  • Moneyline: -220 Minnesota/+180 Phoenix
  • Odds courtesy of The Action Network. Displayed odds current as of Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT.

Tickets, TV and streaming info for Timberwolves vs. Suns

What to watch for in Wolves vs. Suns

This matchup is between one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league in Phoenix and one of the worst in the Wolves.

However, the Wolves should be able to assert their will on the glass and in the paint. Without Baynes, the Suns will be relying on Frank Kaminsky as the only real big man available. The Wolves thrived with Rudy Gobert off the court and the undersized Jeff Green playing the 5 in the two games against the Jazz, and this matchup should be even more favorable for the Wolves.

Kaminsky is no Gobert, after all, and while the Suns’ bench is generally deeper than Utah’s, the frontcourt is equally as thin.

As long as the Wolves are aggressive in trying to get into the paint and commit to rebounding at least four on every defensive possession, they should be just fine in this one.

Injury Report

The Suns are without Baynes and likely won’t have Rubio at their disposal, either. Kaminsky and Cameron Johnson are both listed as probable.

The Wolves will be without Covington due to personal reasons while Layman remains out with a toe injury. Shabazz Napier is doubtful once again, and Josh Okogie is questionable with knee soreness although he’s played in the last two games after missing last Saturday’s loss to Houston.

dark. Next. The Wolves should not trade for D'Angelo Russell

We’ll see you back here at Dunking With Wolves for player grades following Wolves-Suns. Enjoy!

Home/Timberwolves News