Minnesota at Phoenix
Time: 8 PM CT, NBA LP
Spread: MIN -8
Total: 214

odds c/o 5dimes

MIN

Minnesota said farewell to Jimmy Butler, dealing its disgruntled star to the Philadelphia 76ers for Jarryd Bayless, Robert Covington, and Dario Saric. The trade was a necessary one for Minny, but it is hoping it may have a star in Saric. Often overshadowed in Philadelphia, he should assume a starter’s role in due time in Minnesota where presumably he will get a lot more touches and looks. He also should blend well with what the Wolves have already in Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. This is a team too talented to be four games below .500 already in this young season, and the thought is by removing Butler a lot of his toxic influence will be gone as well.

Minnesota loses its leading scorer in Butler, but Derrick Rose has been re-emerging to look much more like the “Rose of old.” The one-time MVP is averaging 19.2 points and 4.8 assists per game, good for No. 2 on the team in both categories. Karl-Anthony Towns has been off to something of a slow start, but he is still averaging 20.3 points and 11.6 rebounds per game this season. Wiggins has been the biggest disappointment, not performing well on the defensive end, and also averaging just 16.6 points per game. The Wolves are hoping its former No. 1 overall pick rounds into shape because the label of “potential” has long since passed.

It is time to get production from the one-and-done from Kansas. As if all that was not enough, many are calling for the job of head coach Tom Thibodeau, simply due to Minnesota’s struggles. It is hoping to get back on track with its new roster additions as it hosts New Orleans.

PHX?

The Phoenix Suns are just 4-23 this season, possessing a bottom-third defense that allows 114.1 points per game while the Suns manage to score just 104.1 itself, ranking worst in the Association. The point differential is -10.0.?Phoenix has a few great top talents, but it cannot seem to find much rhythm or continuity on the defensive end.

Devin Booker is averaging 24.5 points per game and 7.0 assists, but his efficiency has been questionable with a PER Of just 17.3 due to his 44 percent shooting and 31 percent three-point shooting. TJ Warren has rounded into one of the better undersized forwards in the league, but his tough defense has gone unnoticed on a team so poor in that respect. Warren also averages 17.6 points per game in just under 30 minutes a night.??The Suns have been quite pleased with No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton. Ayton looks seasoned and is a good rim protector. He is averaging 17.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.48 blocks/steals per game.

The Suns ideally would like him to swat more shots, but his overall defense has been solid for a rookie. Outside of that top-3, the Suns start to fall off….??The biggest hole is at point guard where Phoenix recently cut journeyman Isaiah Canaan. And Josh Jackson has fallen out of the starting lineup, seeing just 17 minutes a game to average seven points per contest. The Suns have some nice pieces intact at the top of the roster but need depth, a point guard, and a defensive identity, where it currently has none save its sieve identity in giving up so many while scoring so few itself.

ATS TRENDS