Timberwolves vs Suns Odds: Phoenix Stays Red Hot

The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to the desert for the final game of their two-game road trip. It has been an up-and-down season for the Wolves so far, with a 4-3 overall record with losses to some not-so-great teams. They are 2-2 in their last four games with three of those coming against the San Antonio Spurs. The Suns on the other hand are out to a hot start with a 5-1 record and have won their last four straight games. Their only loss this season came on the road against the Portland Trailblazers, which they lost in overtime. Both the Suns and Wolves are expected to be serious playoff contenders in the Western Conference this season which is why the Timberwolves vs Suns odds have this game priced with the Suns as a short 3.5-point favorite after opening at Suns -5.5. The total for this game opened at 230 and has come down to 227.5.

Gobert Has Advantage Over Suns

The Suns took all three games against the Timberwolves last year, beating them by an average of 7.3 points per game. However, it wouldn’t be fair to say we expect a similar game script this year because the Timberwolves are an entirely different team. They traded away a number of pieces – not to mention draft picks – to acquire Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz. So far, Gobert has proven to be a difference-maker on the defensive end for the Wolves.

Minnesota owns a defensive rating of 107.5, which is good enough for the fifth-best in the league; however, their offensive rating isn’t quite up to that same mark, ranking 23rd in the league in that category. If Minnesota wants to keep up with Phoenix on Tuesday night and cover the Timberwolves vs Suns odds of -3.5, Gobert is going to need a big game offensively.

The Suns will be without their starting big man Deandre Ayton who is on the NBA injury report after he sprained his ankle and is expected to be out for at least a week. Phoenix was without him in their last game against the Rockets, but unfortunately for the Suns, Gobert is a step up from that of Houston’s centers. Despite winning that game, the Suns were out-rebounded by the Rockets 49-36 and they allowed 17 offensive rebounds. If Gobert can take advantage of the rebounding mismatch he’ll have tonight, then the Timberwolves vs. Suns odds should fall in Minnesota’s favor.

Suns Push Pace Without Ayton

In terms of the total for Tuesday’s game, while it has come down to 227.5 from its opening mark of 230, we lean towards the over. Without Ayton in the game for Phoneix, the Suns are going to want to get out and run in transition more than they typically would. While he isn’t the NBA points leaders right now, Devin Booker’s points in transition have gone way up this season. He’s averaging 29.3 points per game and has been extremely efficient. He’ll be a key player if the Suns look to play a smaller lineup to try and create mismatches on the perimeter against players like Gober and Karl-Anthony Towns who is a poor defender. Look for both Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson to also have big games with Pheonix focusing more on their perimeter play in this game.

All-in-all, the Timberwolves are going to come into Phoenix and give the Suns their best effort. However, with the way the Suns have been playing lately, we lean to Phoenix covering the Timberwolves vs Suns odds and the over 227.5.

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