The Minnesota Timberwolves will look to reverse their fortunes against the Phoenix Suns when they meet in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series in the 2024 NBA playoffs on Saturday. The Suns (49-33), the sixth seed, are making their fourth consecutive playoff appearance. They have beaten Minnesota in all three games this season and are 13-2 against the Wolves dating back to the 2019-2020 season. The Timberwolves (56-26), who are making their third consecutive playoff appearance, have won just two postseason series since their inception, both coming in 2003-2004.
The game from Target Center in Minneapolis will tip off at 3:30 p.m. ET. Phoenix is averaging 116.2 points per game, 10th-best in the NBA, while Minnesota averages 113, 18th-best. The Timberwolves are 2-point favorites in the latest Suns vs. Timberwolves odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 214.5. Before making any Timberwolves vs. Suns picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer simulation model at SportsLine.
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 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 88-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,600. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Suns vs. Timberwolves and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Timberwolves vs. Suns:
- Suns vs. Timberwolves spread: Minnesota -2
- Suns vs. Timberwolves over/under: 214.5 points
- Suns vs. Timberwolves money line: Phoenix +108, Minnesota -120
- PHO: The Suns had a plus-3 point differential during the regular season
- MIN: The Timberwolves had a 37-15 record within the Western Conference
- Suns vs. Timberwolves picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Timberwolves can cover
Center Rudy Gobert has had a solid season for Minnesota. In 76 games, all starts, he is averaging 14 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 assists in 34.1 minutes. He had a 21-point and seven-rebound performance in Sunday's loss to the Suns. In 33 career games against Phoenix, he is averaging 13.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, two blocks and 1.2 assists in 30.4 minutes of play.
Point guard Mike Conley is coming off a 17-point and four-rebound effort against Phoenix on Sunday. He registered a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists in a 109-106 win over Atlanta on April 12. Conley has had some big games against the Suns throughout his career and in 28 games against them is averaging 17.4 points, 5.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 31.2 minutes. In 76 games this season, all starts, Conley is averaging 11.4 points, 5.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 28.9 minutes. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why the Suns can cover
Power forward Kevin Durant has been on a tear of late, scoring 20 or more points in 11 of the past 12 games, including a 32-point, seven-assist and six-rebound performance in a 122-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 3. He had 30 points and 13 rebounds with five blocks in a 104-97 win at Denver on March 27. In three games against the Timberwolves this season, he is averaging 22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 36 minutes. He passed Shaquille O'Neal for eighth on the NBA's all-time scoring list on March 20, and now sits just 2,696 points shy of passing Wilt Chamberlin for seventh.
Shooting guard Devin Booker had a dominant performance in Sunday's win over Minnesota. In that game, he scored 23 points and added seven assists and four rebounds. In 68 games this season, all starts, he is averaging 27.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 36 minutes. Booker has been red hot in April and has registered a 37-point, 40-point and 52-point effort this month. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Suns vs. Timberwolves picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 207 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only get the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Timberwolves vs. Suns, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that's 88-58 on top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.
