PHOENIX @ MINNESOTA (MIN -6.5, 226.5)
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SUNS @ TIMBERWOLVES 3/28/25
When the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns play each other tonight in Minneapolis, defense will be their top priority. After a three-day break, Minnesota (41-32) will take the court again. During some of their practice sessions, the Timberwolves watched video of their most recent defensive lapses.
After giving up 132 points in a loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, Phoenix (35-38) also wants to strengthen its defense. The loss ended the Suns' four-game winning streak, but head coach Mike Budenholzer claimed that despite Wednesday's setbacks, he had witnessed big-picture progress.
To improve their postseason standing, both teams need a victory. The Suns are attempting to maintain a play-in spot, while the Timberwolves would like to return to one of the top six Western Conference spots and avoid a play-in situation.
Anthony Edwards leads Minnesota averaging 27.3 points per game. He shoots 44.1 percent from the field, including 39.5 percent from three-point range. Naz Reid scores 14.7 points per game, while Julius Randle is averaging 18.6 points.
With 26.9 points per game on 53 percent shooting, including 43 percent from beyond the arc, Kevin Durant leads the Suns. Bradley Beal (17.3) and Devin Booker (25.5 ppg) complete the top three scorers.
Beal's left hamstring strain will force him to miss Friday's game. This will be his sixth consecutive game that he’s missed.
In order to assist in securing the perimeter when necessary, Budenholzer stated that he would keep relying on his big men, Oso Ighodaro and Nick Richards. In his most recent game, Richards scored 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting, but he appeared to have trouble getting out to the three-point line to block shots.
This is the fourth and final meeting of the regular season between the TWolves and Suns. Each of the first three meetings was won by the Timberwolves, who most recently defeated them 116-98 in Phoenix on March 2.
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COACH RICK FREE PICK:
FREE PICK: JULIUS RANDLE OVER 0.5 STEALS+BLOCKS
Randle has gone Over this prop in 3 of his last 5 and 12 of his last 20 games. At home, it seems Randle’s defense is even better. He’s gone Over this number in 9 of the TWolves’ last 11 home games. Minnesota has played Phoenix three times this season and Randle has gone Over this number in all three. He’s also had at least one steal and/or block in 60 percent of his games this season.