2024 NBA Playoffs - West 1st Round: #3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. #6 Phoenix Suns (MIN SWEEPS 4-0)

[Biff]

For whatever reason, we've played the Wolves extremely well all year. I think we have a decent shot at advancing. Had it been Denver or OKC, no chance whatsoever. So even if we advance, we're getting smoked by Denver. Conversely, I think the Wolves match up with Denver much better than us and I think the Nuggets would much rather face us.

[B-easy]

Denver lucked out that their 2 biggest threats are playing each other.

[ChipotleWest]

I got the Suns winning it. They were looking like a play-in team with 10 games to go and the toughest schedule in the NBA ahead no easy games and they went 7-3, beating these Pelicans twice. They're coming in a little under the radar.

Not to mention the Suns are a lot more battle tested in the playoffs. Outside of Conley and Gobert who has made it to the second round none of them have won a playoff series.

[ChipotleWest]

Denver lucked out that their 2 biggest threats are playing each other.

Well that just means one of them will definitely face them in the 2nd round assuming they get there.

[durden_tyler]

i stil believe Minnesota has already matured and can handle this Phoenix challenge. One of the scarier bets currently since that Suns squad has real talent that if they can continue playing the right way it could work too, maybe even all the way to the West Finals. Still, i trust Ant and company to win this close series.

[Mavrelous]

Hard to predict w/o knowing how KAT will look like...

[Pokuokic]

This will be the most intense/drama filled series of the first round, to many hotheads and instigators between Nurkic/Booker/KD/Allen vs Gobert/Kat/Edwards I cannot wait for the scuffles/intensity.

[nikster]

Wolves in 6. Size and Defense will make too big a difference over a series

[darmani]

In 3 games against the Suns this year Edwards scored 43 points total on 42 FGA.

[Kineto]

I'll be behind the Wolves, but I'm not very optimistic about this game. Their defense is built to limit 3-point shots and shots close to the basket (the ones that are supposed to be the most efficient), and let the opponent beat you from mid-range. And unfortunately, they're up against the team that's probably the most lethal on those kinds of shots.

[Froob]

Wolves in 7

[Ssj16]

Denver lucked out that their 2 biggest threats are playing each other.

It's funny how Denver keeps lucking out in their playoff matchups...

[cupcakesnake]

For whatever reason, we've played the Wolves extremely well all year. I think we have a decent shot at advancing. Had it been Denver or OKC, no chance whatsoever. So even if we advance, we're getting smoked by Denver. Conversely, I think the Wolves match up with Denver much better than us and I think the Nuggets would much rather face us.

I hadn't really thought heavily about our previous matchups until watching yesterday.
The Suns defend the Timberwolves really well.
People are probably thinking this is an offense vs. defense thing, but it's the Suns defense that is the most important part of this series. If they can defend the Twolves like they have in the regular season, Minnesota is in massive trouble.

[Jadoogar]

Denver lucked out that their 2 biggest threats are playing each other.

It's funny how Denver keeps lucking out in their playoff matchups...

they also beat both of these teams last year.

[moss_is_1]

I got the Suns winning it. They were looking like a play-in team with 10 games to go and the toughest schedule in the NBA ahead no easy games and they went 7-3, beating these Pelicans twice. They're coming in a little under the radar.

Not to mention the Suns are a lot more battle tested in the playoffs. Outside of Conley and Gobert who has made it to the second round none of them have won a playoff series.

Kyle Anderson and Monte Morris both been to WCF.

I hate this matchup. It's the one matchup I least wanted for the Wolves. Suns have the guys who thrive in the midrange where we're most weak. They can go small and have shooters all over the floor. Our offense needs to show up, stop with the sloppy play and giving the Suns easy buckets off turnovers. Force their guys to consistently defend and work.

[_AIJ_]

WE are ****

[spanishninja]

One choking team won’t choke, heeeey

more like, one team would fail at choking. choking the choke.

[spanishninja]

Wolves in 6. Size and Defense will make too big a difference over a series

I don't disagree that Wolves are the favorites, but are we no longer talking about Gobert's problems in the playoffs? Has that been solved at all?

[ChipotleWest]

I got the Suns winning it. They were looking like a play-in team with 10 games to go and the toughest schedule in the NBA ahead no easy games and they went 7-3, beating these Pelicans twice. They're coming in a little under the radar.

Not to mention the Suns are a lot more battle tested in the playoffs. Outside of Conley and Gobert who has made it to the second round none of them have won a playoff series.

Kyle Anderson and Monte Morris both been to WCF.

I hate this matchup. It's the one matchup I least wanted for the Wolves. Suns have the guys who thrive in the midrange where we're most weak. They can go small and have shooters all over the floor. Our offense needs to show up, stop with the sloppy play and giving the Suns easy buckets off turnovers. Force their guys to consistently defend and work.

Still your two best players have not won a playoff series.

[Ssj16]

Denver lucked out that their 2 biggest threats are playing each other.

It's funny how Denver keeps lucking out in their playoff matchups...

they also beat both of these teams last year.

Lol, exactly