With a seven-game Sunday slate in the books, the NBA returns on Monday with just three games to choose from. Each of those matchups offers some level of intrigue, however, and Suns vs. Timberwolves is quietly an important bout out West.
Given the two-game distance between the two squads in the conference standings, the outcome of Monday’s battle might factor into seeding. As the season passes its quarter mark, it’s time for franchises to start separating from the pack.
Below, we’ll break down a Suns vs. Timberwolves prediction and picks to consider for Monday night’s game. Use PrizePicks NBA to make player picks and win money if you’re right.
Suns vs. Timberwolves Prediction, Preview for Monday, 12/8
Monday marks the 133rd all-time regular-season meeting between the Suns and Timberwolves. Phoenix owns a commanding 84-48 advantage thus far, although Minnesota triumphed in four of the last five clashes.
On the injury front, Monday is lopsided. For the Suns, SG Devin Booker is out with a groin injury. So is fellow SG Jalen Green (hamstring), and SF Dillon Brooks (Achilles) is listed as questionable. The Timberwolves don’t have any major injury situations to monitor.
The Suns enter Monday’s game as 9.5-point road underdogs, returning a 4x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Timberwolves are home favorites with a 1.21x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Minnesota Timberwolves -9.5
- Total: 226.5
- Game Winner Payout: Suns 4x | Timberwolves 1.21x
Payouts are as of Monday, 10:00 a.m. ET and are subject to change.
Phoenix Suns Preview vs. Timberwolves
The 2024 campaign marked a step back for the Suns as an organization, going from 49-33 and the playoffs the year prior to an ugly 36-46 effort.
This season's team, under first-year head coach Jordan Ott, occupies the seventh seed in the Western Conference thanks to a 13-10 start.
Contrary to in years past, the Suns’ offense is nothing to write home about. It ranks 19th in per-game scoring (116.2 points) and on the break (14.3 PPG) and 25th in the paint (45.9 PPG).
On the other side of the ball, Phoenix does a nice job. Ott has the team sitting ninth in scoring (113.8) and yields the third-ranked assist to turnover ratio (1.481).
Minnesota Timberwolves Preview vs. Suns
After winning 56 games in 2023, the Timberwolves returned with a 49-win campaign last year and make the Western Conference Finals for the second straight postseason.
Since a slow 2-3 start to this year, Minnesota has rattled off 13 wins in 18 tries. Their 15-8 composite record puts them at sixth in the West, just outside the play-in.
Once again, the Timberwolves’ offense produces plenty of output, ranking sixth in scoring (120.3 PPG) and fifth in effective field goal percentage (56.9).
On defense, Minnesota averages the third-most blocks per game (3.9) and is 11th in scoring (115 PPG).
Suns vs. Timberwolves NBA Picks, Stats for PrizePicks Today
Here are three top Suns vs. Timberwolves picks to target on Monday. Key PrizePicks player projections are headlined by PG Collin Gillespie, SG Anthony Edwards, and PF Julius Randle.
Suns PG Collin Gillespie vs. Timberwolves Projection: 21.5 Pts + Asts
- Gillespie’s season average for combined points and assists is 18.2.
- In his double-digit scoring streak (11 games since Nov. 13), Gillespie posts 22 points and assists per night. In his last five outings, that number jumps to 24.2.
- The third-year man’s relative true shooting percentage (+2.4) is an 85th-percentile mark. Among Suns with at least 20 games played, his 25.9% assist rate trails only Booker (30.1%).
- Per FantasyPros, the Timberwolves give up the 13th-most points (25.83) and 14th-most assists (8.57) to PGs every night.
Timberwolves SG Anthony Edwards vs. Suns Projection: 28.5 Pts
- This year, Edwards averages a career-high 28.1 PPG. In his last eight, that figure spikes to 32.0.
- Among players who average 34+ minutes, Edwards’ 13.4 assist ratio is fourth-lowest. He’s always a candidate to get his shots up.
- Via databallr, Edwards’ 30.8 true shot attempts per 100 and 37.3% on-ball clip are both 99th-percentile marks.
- In Nov. 21’s 114-113 loss to the Suns, Ant Man poured in 41 points on 14-of-24 shooting (58.3%).
Timberwolves PF Julius Randle vs. Suns Projection: 33.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- Randle averages 36.2 combined points, rebounds, and assists this year.
- In addition to shooting a healthy 68.9% at the rim, Randle is canning 47.4% of his short midrange tries.
- Per NBARAPM, Randle’s 21.5 assist points per 100 are the most of his 12-year career.
- Randle’s 14.9% defensive rebounding rate puts him in the 61st percentile.
Make NBA Picks on PrizePicks
Suns vs. Timberwolves isn’t the only avenue basketball fans have to make NBA picks. With PrizePicks, you can win real-money rewards for your predictions if you’re right.
Just choose players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and follow the hoops action to see if your picks hit.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued NBA coverage and analysis all season.
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