Suns most to blame for Timberwolves’ Game 3 thrashing

In the beginning of the game, Phoenix was getting good looks. However, the shots weren’t falling. The team already had the advantage in free throws, attempting 15 in the first quarter alone (Minnesota had just 4). Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to make up for their 36.8% field goal percentage in the said quarter. As the first 12 minutes concluded, the Suns still trailed by two.

Going against a taller, much more physical team like the Timberwolves, the Suns will need to capitalize at every opportunity given. While they did finish the game shooting 46.1%, they definitely need to be efficient from the get-go.

Rebounding

And speaking of size, there really isn’t much of a solution to this. With Rudy Gobert (7’3), Karl-Anthony Towns (7’0) and Jaden McDaniels (6’9) as the Timberwolves’ starting frontcourt, it’s a no brainer that grabbing rebounds will be difficult for opponents. Such was the case on Friday, when the Suns were outrebounded, 50-28. Phoenix gave up 15 offensive boards around their basket, and it’s no surprise why.

Jusuf Nurkic is the only true big man in the team’s starting unit. With Kevin Durant and Royce O’Neale as the forwards, the rebounding was bound to be a one-sided affair from the start.

The Timberwolves also imposed their inside presence by amassing a total of 56 points in the paint, to go with 19 second-chance points.

Royce O’Neal and Jusuf Nurkic need to help on offense

The Suns’ Big 3 all finished in double figures. Bradley Beal scored 28 points, Kevin Durant had 25, while Devin Booker added 23. In addition, Eric Gordon and Drew Eubanks made contributions off the bench. However, the team’s two other starters, Royce O’Neale and Jusuf Nurkic, combined for just 1-of-9 shooting from the floor.

O’Neale, in particular, was tasked to fill in for injured sharpshooter Grayson Allen. It didn’t pan out as expected for Frank Vogel, as the forward finished the game scoreless in over 24 minutes of action.

As for Nurkic, it’s understandable that getting baskets over Gobert and Towns isn’t easy. Nevertheless, the big man did score nine and 10 points during Games 1 and 2, respectively. In a playoff series such as this, every basket counts, so Nurkic definitely needs to be as efficient as possible in the coming days.

With their season in the balance, it remains to be seen if Phoenix will somehow respond to the adversity. It’s been a quiet year, and the Suns’ struggles have stuck with them in the postseason. The best they can do now is to focus on staying afloat — one game at a time.