The Minnesota Timberwolves (10-12) will travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to square off with the Phoenix Suns (10-12). The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, December 9, 2019, and will air on Fox Sports – Arizona.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns ATS Odds
Both teams were beaten in their last outing. The Timberwolves (3.5-point underdogs) were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers, 142-125, while the Suns (11.5-point underdogs) fell to the Houston Rockets, 115-109. The Minnesota game finished 50 points over the projected point total of 217, while the Phoenix game finished 16 points under the projected point total of 240.
Minnesota did a great job of getting and making free throws (22-26; 84.6 percent) while Phoenix had a better offensive rebounding percentage (24.1 vs. 20.8). Devin Booker played well for Phoenix, putting up 35 points and five assists. Karl-Anthony Towns, meanwhile was a key piece for Minnesota with 19 points and eight assists.
In their first matchup this year, Booker led the Suns to a 100-98 win. He registered a double-double with 35 points and 12 rebounds. Phoenix covered as a 5-point underdog and the two teams combined to put up 198 points, which was well under the projected point total of 235.5. Phoenix made good use of their 26 trips to the free throw line, making 24 of them (92.3 percent). Minnesota, on the other hand, was just 10-17 (58.8 percent).
Timberwolves matchups tend to go over the total (57.1 percent). Minnesota holds records of 10-12 straight up (SU) and 9-11-1 against the spread (ATS).
Much like Minnesota, games including the Suns also have a tendency to finish over the projected point total (59.1 percent). Moreover, Phoenix owns records of 10-12 SU and 13-9 ATS.
The productive offense of Phoenix (sixth in the league with an offensive efficiency of 109.6) will battle against the mid-tier defense of Minnesota (19th in the league with a defensive efficiency of 108.6). The Suns should have the edge on that side of the ball.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Timberwolves average 39.1 three pointers per game, which ranks fourth in the league. The Suns rank ninth in three pointers allowed per game (32.5).
- Minnesota ranks third in blocks per game (6.4) while Phoenix ranks 26th (3.9).
- The Timberwolves average 49.8 points in the paint per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. The Suns rank 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (50.2).
- Phoenix ranks 11th in fast break points per game (14.0) while Minnesota ranks 28th (10.4).
- Phoenix ranks 12th in second chance points allowed per game (12.8) while Minnesota ranks 27th (14.6).
- The Suns rank third in points off turnovers per game (20.0) while the Timberwolves rank 24th (15.4).
- The Suns average 28.2 assists per game, which ranks second in the league. The Timberwolves rank 18th in assists allowed per game (24.4).
- Minnesota averages 8.0 steals per game, which ranks 10th in the league. Phoenix ranks 14th in steals allowed per game (7.9).
- Minnesota ranks sixth in rebounds per game (47.0) while Phoenix ranks 26th (42.4).
- Phoenix is 2-2 when they allow under 100 points, while Minnesota is 1-0.
- In games where they score over 100 points, the Timberwolves are 10-8 and the Suns are 10-10.
- Phoenix is 6-6 ATS at home, while Minnesota is 7-4 ATS on the road.
- Of the Timberwolves’ 11 road games, they have 7 overs and 4 unders.
- The Suns have 9 overs and 3 unders in 12 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Minnesota and Phoenix have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Suns are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Timberwolves are 2-3.
- During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 116.8 points per game (1.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 119.8 points per game (5.6 above their season average).
- The Timberwolves’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.4, up from 2.3 for the season.
