Minnesota Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns Betting Preview/Prop Picks
01 November 2022
Time: 10:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 121.325; Phoenix 120.478
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1; 231
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 5; 229
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+5); Over
The 2022-23 NBA season is just starting to heat up, and there are some big games on the schedule on Tuesday night. The Phoenix Suns host the Minnesota Timberwolves, and these feel like two of the best teams in the Western Conference.
Minnesota has been inconsistent to start the season, but they still bring a 4-3 record into this game. The Timberwolves were upset on Sunday night by the Spurs, and they are looking to get back on track.
Phoenix comes into this game with a record of 5-1, and they once again look to be the team to beat in the Western Conference. The Suns have rattled off four straight wins, with the last three all coming at home.
The Phoenix Suns are the favorites in this matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves, as the spread is set at five points.
Minnesota Must Dominate the Paint
The Minnesota Timberwolves are going to have a big size advantage in most games this season, but especially on Tuesday night. Phoenix is without Deandre Ayton, and that should allow Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns to have a big game.
Gobert has been a double-double machine to begin the year, and Towns is capable of going off at any moment. Anthony Edwards is currently leading the team with over 23 points per game, and he seems to play better against good opponents.
The Timberwolves will have to find a way to get better on defense, as they have allowed some big point totals against them this season.
Suns Have to Make Shots
Playing without Ayton is a huge blow to the Suns as it’s going to take away a huge threat in the paint. Phoenix is a team that does win with their terrific guard play, but at some point, it’s nice to be able to get interior scoring.
Devin Booker is off to a huge start to begin the year as he leads the Suns with 29.3 points per game. Booker is also shooting over 50 percent from the field, and he is going to have the full attention of the Timberwolves in this matchup.
The offense of the Suns gets most of the attention, but they have also been solid on defense during this stretch. Phoenix has not allowed more than 111 points over the last four games, and that will be a key in this one as well.
Timberwolves Take Down the Suns
This is a great chance for Minnesota to prove that they are for real this year, and this is actually a good matchup for them. The Timberwolves have a massive size advantage in this game, and they are going to be able to dominate in the paint.
Phoenix has been on a roll to begin the year, but they aren’t going to win every game that they play. This should be a tight battle throughout, but the Suns are going to struggle to find easy points in the paint, and it will allow Minnesota to take control of this one.
Bet the Minnesota Timberwolves moneyline as they go into Phoenix and pull off the outright upset over the Phoenix Suns.
Prop Picks
Minnesota (-110) OVER 112.5 Points
Minnesota is averaging 115.1 points per game on offense, which ranks No. 15 in the NBA.
With Dunkel predicting a Minnesota win by the score of 116-115, take the Timberwolves (-110) to finish OVER their Vegas team total of 112.5 points versus the Suns.
Cameron Johnson (-120) OVER 14.5 Points
Johnson is averaging 12.5 points per game in six games for the Suns this season. That average increases to 14.8 points per game at home.
With Dunkel predicting the final score going OVER the Vegas total, take Johnson (-120) to finish OVER 14.5 points against the Timberwolves.
Be sure to check out all our Daily NBA Picks!
All Media on this page by Associated Press.
