The Phoenix Suns battle the Minnesota Timberwolves in their first game back home after a long road stretch. Here are four pregame quick-hitters.
The Phoenix Suns return home after a four-game road stretch where they finished 2-2. And while they had their chances to best the Orlando Magic and were a handful of uncharacteristic missed free throws away beating the Houston Rockets, going 0.500 on a long road trip where they once again played without key players is something Suns fans will take.
Now the Suns return to the soon-to-be-updated-with-primarily-bars Talking Stick Arena to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Let’s roll through some quick-hitters before tip-off:
Last Game
The Suns took down the Timberwolves a little over two weeks ago in Minneapolis in a game saw future Phoenix Suns player, Karl-Anthony Towns perform well in his team’s loss. I’m sure Suns fans hope nothing but the best of luck for Towns tonight, even though he isn’t quite yet wearing the orange and purple.
That game saw Devin Booker and Kelly Oubre carry the Suns offensively, putting up 35 points and 25 points respectively. They needed to show out because that game was played without both Ricky Rubio and Aron Baynes.
Rubio and his Santa-bag full of assists are back in action tonight and as for Aron Baynes…
Aron Baynes is probable
The Phoenix Suns upgraded Aron Baynes from questionable to probable for tonight’s contest, which is huge news for a team that has been somewhat abused down low as of late.
Baynes is also celebrating his 33rd birthday today, so even though after the age of 30, these types of things diminish in value, you have to believe the occasion helped make his injured calf feel a little better.
Speaking of birthday boys…
It’s Kelly Oubre’s birthday too
Mr. OG Valley Boyz himself turns 24 today in a very rare occurrence of two teammates having the same birthday on a game day.
When Devin Booker played on his birthday, he put up 31 points in a blowout win over the Golden State Warriors. The bar has been set high, Oubre. Go get it.
The Spread
After beating the Wolves by two on their home court, the Suns are favored by four tonight at home.
Vegas typically gives about three points for home court advantage, so this line tells me odds-makers view this game as a tossup, talent-wise.
Time for the Suns to take advantage of home court.