 |
| Getty Images |
Highlights Video :
Two young Western Conference teams will square off in Phoenix looking to keep the positive momentum going by winning three straight games.
It's been an eventful past few days for Ricky Rubio; he was absent from Sunday's win against Denver for personal reasons and tweaked his hip in a win over the Clippers on Thursday. To add to that, Rubio was involved in trade rumors when ESPN reported that the 26-year old could be swapped for Detroit's Reggie Jackson. As for Rubio's status for Tuesday, he rejoined the team on Monday and could be back in the starting lineup against Phoenix.
A lot of pundits tabbed the Timberwolves as a possible playoff team before the season. The wins may not be piling up for Minnesota, but their star player has done his part. Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging just over 22 points per contest in his second NBA season. Towns has amassed 34 or more points in four of his 44 games in 2016/17, compared to just one such game in his rookie season. The former Kentucky star has posted at least 32 points and 12 rebounds in two straight games - both of which were wins.
Minnesota's move to bring head coach Tom Thibodeau into the fold prior to the season has paid dividends on the defensive end. The Wolves rank tied for 12th in scoring defense currently, compared to 23rd in 2015/16. On the offensive end, there is still work to be done. Minnesota will face off with one of the more potent offenses in Phoenix on Thursday, so their scoring average of just over 103 points per contest will have to be amped up in order to come away with a road win.
Like Minnesota, Phoenix has strung together back-to-back wins. After losing by 15 in Cleveland last Thursday, the Suns defeated both the Knicks and Raptors on the road over the weekend. Devin Booker knocked down the dagger three at Madison Square Garden on Saturday to clinch a 107-105 win over New York. On Sunday night, Eric Bledsoe poured in 40 points to help Phoenix knock off the East's second-ranked team, 115-103.
After Booker and Bledsoe, the Suns have struggled to get solid scoring from other options. T.J. Warren and Brandon Knight rank third and fourth on the team, respectively, in scoring, but P.J. Tucker has picked up the slack with two consecutive double-digit scoring outings. Knight has also tallied double-digit points in back-to-back games.
Keys to the Game
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Minimize Booker and Bledsoe: These dynamic Suns playmakers have combined for 50 points per game over their past ten games. After confidence-building wins over the Knicks and Raptors, this young team is playing good basketball. It all starts with stopping the backcourt.
- Get Wiggins going: In 16 wins this season, Andrew Wiggins is averaging 25.8 points per game. In 28 losses, the Kansas product averages 19.5 points per contest. Minnesota must get the young small forward going to escape Phoenix with a win.
Phoenix Suns
Spread the wealth: In Phoenix's last two losses to Cleveland and Utah, only four players scored above six points in both games. The two wins this past weekend? Five Suns scored 11 or more points. This team is best when everybody gets involved.
Limit K.A.T.: Karl-Anthony Towns has scored over 32 points in two straight games, including 37 in a road win against the Clippers. If Phoenix can hold the young center to 25 points or less, they'll have a good shot.
Projected Timberwolves starting lineup
PG Ricky Rubio, SG Zach LaVine, SF Andrew Wiggins, PF Gorgui Dieng, C Karl-Anthony Towns.
Projected Suns starting lineup
PG Eric Bledsoe, SG Devin Booker, SF P.J. Tucker, PF Marquese Chriss, C Tyson Chandler.
0 Response to "Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns Highlights Video HD"