Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NBA Summer League match.
The Minnesota Timberwolves still have a shot at making the play-offs and will be determined to secure another win. For the Phoenix Suns, the tournament is already over; the squad is out of contention and is expected to give more minutes to bench players.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves have enjoyed a strong campaign in the NBA Summer League, claiming convincing victories over the New Orleans Pelicans (98:91), the Denver Nuggets (94:83), and the Detroit Pistons (89:73). Terrence Shannon Jr. has been a standout, averaging 22.7 points per game. The Timberwolves play a well-rounded style of basketball and keep up a high pace, thanks to their deep rotation. Defensively, they have been particularly impressive, conceding just 82.3 points per game — the third-best record in the tournament.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have found it difficult to compete. After opening with a win over the Washington Wizards (103:84), the squad suffered back-to-back defeats to the Atlanta Hawks (80:98) and the Sacramento Kings (76:94). Key players such as Ryan Dunn, who is averaging 17 points per game, have struggled to make a decisive impact, while the rest of the squad is contributing no more than 12 points per game. The Suns have been ineffective on both ends — scoring just 86.3 points per game (24th in the league) while conceding 92 points on average (19th-ranked defence).
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns Prediction
The Minnesota Timberwolves have won each of their last eight encounters with the Phoenix Suns. Given the Suns’ disappointing form in this tournament and the Timberwolves’ strong motivation, the outcome appears straightforward. Expect the Minnesota Timberwolves to win by at least a seven-point margin.
