The Phoenix Suns (48-33) are set to officially complete their 82-game regular season schedule this afternoon against the Minnesota Timberwolves (56-25).
Both teams have a significant amount of pressure mounted on them in this matchup – the Suns are attempting to avoid the play-in tournament while Minnesota still has an opportunity to slide into the top seed in the West.
Phoenix could be without backup C Drew Eubanks, while Minnesota is listing stars Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns as questionable – but it is certainly reasonable to expect both to play.
We will take a look at what’s at stake for both teams, as well previewing the matchup and giving a game prediction.
What’s At Stake
The paths forward for both teams are simple: Minnesota clinches the number one overall seed with a victory and Oklahoma City/Denver losses. A victory and a loss by either of the aforementioned squads will lead to the number two seed. Any other scenario will result in the number three seed.
The Suns’ path is even more clear – the Suns will clinch the number six seed with a win and loss by the New Orleans Pelicans. Any other result and Phoenix will be cemented as the host in the 7 vs 8 matchup of the play-in tournament.
The result of this game could very well lead to these two teams being pitted against each other in round one of the playoffs.
Key Matchup: Karl-Anthony Towns vs Suns’ Defense
Towns could be the ultimate X-factor in both the game today (assuming he is active) and in a seven-game series.
Towns has missed the last six weeks with a meniscus injury, but put up numbers that landed him his fourth All-Star bid prior to the injury.
His ability to both stretch opposing defenses and put the ball on the floor could put more stress on the Suns’ efforts than was previously seen in the last matchup, as there isn’t a truly congruent matchup the Phoenix defense can get on him.
If Towns is unable to go, the attention will clearly go to Edwards – who has shot sub-30 percent against Phoenix in the previous two meetings combined.
Prediction: Suns Win
The outcome of this game truly feels as if it will be a coin flip – the Suns managed to pull victory out of the jaws of defeat on Friday night against Sacramento, but the standout contributions from the supporting cast late in the contest was more than encouraging.
The Wolves also appear to be a strong matchup for the Suns optically – this looks like a game that could fall in the Suns’ favor.
Suns-Wolves is set to tip off shortly after 12:30 PM Arizona time this afternoon.
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