The Suns are down 0-2. Being down 0-3 is a death sentence they can avoid.
Who: Phoenix Suns (0-2) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-0)
When: 7:30pm AZ Time
Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: ESPN / Arizona’s Family 3TV / Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
Let’s get ready to rumble! And hopefully not fumble!
I’m not a fan of the over-used “must-win” moniker, but this one is as close as it gets. If you go down 0-3 in a series, your chances of winning — based on historical numbers — is 0.0%. So it isn’t technically a must-win, but you get the gist.
It is Phoenix’s turn to hold serve on their home court behind a raucous and rabid fan base. We hope. Many wrongs can be righted with a win. The largest of these is faith in who and what they are as a team, both externally and internally.
Grayson Allen is questionable to play in this game, and head coach Frank Vogel continues to hint at exploring all possibilities. He said the same before Game 2, however, so we don’t know exactly what that means. Bol Bol? IT? Post-halftime adjustments? It all may be on the table, but who knows what the first-year head coach has up his sleeve. History says not much.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
- Grayson Allen — QUESTIONABLE (Right Meniscus Surgery)
- Damion Lee — OUT (Right Meniscus Surgery)
Timberwolves
- Kyle Anderson — QUESTIONABLE (Right Hip Pointer)
Uniform Matchup
What to Watch For
Attitude and effort.
Minnesota has had the mental edge in this series. They surely will come out swinging in this one as well, doing their best to exude dominance on the Suns’ home floor. Like a dog marking their territory — I assume Timberwolves do the same thing? — they will try to impose their will. The Suns need to be prepared for this, have the spray bottle ready, and spray them in the face. Get off our lawn!!!
Based on how they survive the first few moments, hopefully avoiding foul trouble, the Suns can settle in and go to work. With their home crowd behind them, they should find a rhythm. It must be their attitude and effort that can take them home.
Key to a Suns Win
The time has come, on their home floor, for Phoenix to get right. Or stay home. Are the Suns capable? Yeah. They can beat any team on any night. They possess elite talent and unparalleled scoring. No one wanted to face the Suns in the First Round for good reason.
The one team that beats them over and over, however, is the Phoenix Suns. Turnovers have been the primary reason they have lost, coupled with the lack of fight and grit needed in the postseason.
Don’t turn the ball over, win the game.
Prediction
The Suns will come through tonight. They will ride the wave of emotion and treat the Timberwolves like they did during the regular season. They’ll feel the desperate longing of their fan base and turn it into a victory.
Suns 119, Timberwolves 109