Timberwolves Statistically Eliminate Suns, Take 3-0 Series Lead
Photo Credit: Matt York, Associated Press Photo
Continuing their streak of dominance over the Suns, The Minnesota Timberwolves(56-26) beat the Phoenix Suns(49-33) by a score of 126-109 according to ESPN, hoping to seal the first round matchup in the second game in Phoenix. Seeing as no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit, the Suns are more likely than not heading towards yet another wasted season with a stacked roster complete with stars.
The win was a demonstration of the completeness of the Timberwolves team. Specifically, four of the five Wolves’ starters scored in double figures, with each of those four players putting up 15 or higher points. The Wolves shot 38.2% from three point land, cashing in 13 of their 34 attempts. Anthony Edwards led the team with 36 points, proving yet again why the former number one overall pick is one of the best shooting guards in the NBA. Karl Anthony Towns, most likely still coming back from his injury, put up 18 points with 13 boards. Gobert, continuing his defensive dominance, poured in 19 points by shooting 6-8 from the field and 7-8 from the line according to ESPN, adding 14 rebounds to his performance.
Photo Credit: Patrick Breen, The Republic
On the flip side of the ball, stellar shooting numbers for the Phoenix Suns ultimately proved irrelevant, as the Suns gave away yet another game to a more inexperienced playoff team. Though the Suns “Big Three” combined for 76 points according to ESPN, all other Suns players who played at least one minute in the game combined for 33 points, which is absolutely unacceptable for a team that had title hopes coming into the season.
Though the Suns’ bench thinning was understandable due to the trades the Suns made before and during the season, Frank Vogel can at least expect more than 33 points combined from his non-star players to drive the Suns in the series against the Timberwolves.
Photo Credit: Matt York, Associated Press Photo
The Suns’ shooting numbers simply weren’t the issue in Game Three, as the Suns shot 39.3%(11-28) from three, along with shooting 87.5% from the free throw line. It was simply the Suns lack of production that bit the Suns in the ankle, causing their third collapse against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Photo Credit: Patrick Breen, The Republic
The Suns do, however, have a chance to take the fourth game against the Wolves and push the series back to a fifth game, though significant changes need to be made on the Suns’ offensive end if they are to win Game Four against Minnesota.
