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What: Phoenix Suns host... srsly... again?... yep... okay... the Minnesota Timberwolves
When: 7:00 PM AZ Time
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena
Why: Because every NBA team wants to play the same opponent every week
How: Schedule-makers
Watch: Fox Sports Arizona!
Listen: to the legendary Al McCoy on 98.7 FM
Despite a pair of losses to the Phoenix Suns, the Minnesota Timberwolves sit as the 4th seed in the rugged West with a 19-13 record.
The Suns have brought their record all the way up to 12-22 thanks to Devin Booker’s best buddy KAT and company.
Tonight they face off for the fourth time this season, with the Wolves hoping to split the season series at 2-2 and notch their 20th win before facing the Lakers in a star-studded Christmas Day matchup.
Wolves notes
If the Wolves can beat the Suns tonight in Phoenix, they will have their 20th win before Christmas - a feat that franchise has not reached .
To be fair, some of that is because the NBA started the season earlier than ever this year. The Wolves were 20-10 on December 30 in 2003, under Flip Saunders and flanked by Kevin Garnett and gang on the way to a 58-24 record and a Conference Finals appearance.
So that’s 14 years since the Wolves won 20 games this early in their schedule. In fact, in FOUR of those seasons they didn’t even win 20 games ALL SEASON.
And you thought Suns fans had it bad.
Suns notes
The Suns have pulled themselves all the way down to 7th in the lottery standings at this moment, with a 12-22 record.
For the month of December, where they are 4-7, the Suns are 17th on offense, 18th on defense and 19th in assist %. The latter two categories have been at or near the bottom of the league for years. That’s a little bit of progress, folks.
But don’t fret, tankers! Thanks to the league’s toughest schedule from here on out, the Suns STILL project to finish with the 2nd worst record in the NBA on the back of a 15-33 finish.
Enjoy these unexpected wins while they last. Because it won’t last long. The league’s tougher teams are waiting to snuff the Suns.
I’ll just leave this here.
Meet The Worst Defensive Duo In The NBAhttps://t.co/YspAzqnGDD
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) December 22, 2017
Raise your hand if you thought this would feature a pair of Suns.
Wolves injuries
None significant
Suns injuries
The yuuzh.
Devin Booker and Davon Reed should be back soon, with Alan Williams coming back around the All-Star break.
Prediction
The Wolves have to win this one, don’t they? The West’s 4th best team can’t lose three out of four to the lowly Suns can they?