Wolves vs. Suns: Trying to win comfortably

By: Nathan Brinkman

The Timberwolves are squaring off against the Phoenix Suns this afternoon in a Sunday matinee. This will help to ease the emptiness of the Vikings not playing today for Minnesota Sports fans. 

After an ugly loss Friday to Miami, the Wolves will look to rebound against a week Suns team. The team is hoping to have point guard Jeff Teague and stand out reserve Nemanja Bjelica back Sunday after both missed Friday's game with injuries. Both players are listed as day to day. 

What to watch for: 

Tyus Jones: Tyus remained on the bench even with Teague being out on Friday as Aaron Brooks started, but Jones saw extended minutes and played very well. Jones seems to be the type of player who can play a large role while on the court while not necessarily putting up a lot of statistics. If Teague is indeed out, the Wolves will lean heavily on Jones to lead the team as the primary point guard. 

Booker/Wiggins: Two of the best young wing players in the NBA, Andrew Wiggins and Devin Booker are often compared to each other by NBA analysts. Most of whom have said they favor Booker's game over Wiggins'. I think Wiggins should be able to out produce Booker in todays contest based on the fact that Booker will have to deal with the defense of Jimmy Butler throughout the game while Wiggins wont see any premier defensive players. This though, was not the case in the last matchup as Booker torched the Wolves for 35 points. 

Redemption: The fact of the matter is that the Timberwolves are a flat out better basketball team than the Phoenix Suns. Last time the teams met, the Suns came out on top and embarrassed the Wolves. These types of winnable games are the games in which the Wolves will need to win consistently if they want to contend for a title. The Suns are a Western conference team and the Wolves should come out looking to redeem the previous loss. 

Projected Starters

Minnesota: PG Aaron Brooks, SG Jimmy Butler, SF Andrew Wiggins, PF Taj Gibson C Karl-Anthony Towns

Phoenix: PG Tyler Ulis, SG Devin Booker, SF TJ Warren, PF Greg Monroe, C Tyson Chandler 

Prediction

115-94, Wolves. I think the Wolves will dominate the Suns at home using the previous loss to the Heat as well as the first loss to Phoenix as motivation.