Minnesota Timberwolves (42-27) beat Phoenix Suns (39-30) 116-104 at home on Tuesday, March 17.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Suns struck first, taking the opening quarter 39-36 and a 3-point lead after one. The Timberwolves moved in front with a 28-24 second quarter, carrying a 1-point lead into halftime.
The Timberwolves won the third 28-23 to create some separation, taking a 6-point lead into the fourth. The Timberwolves took the fourth 24-18; the Timberwolves finished the job for a 116-104 regulation win.
What decided it
The Timberwolves got more from their shots, finishing at 56.5% effective field-goal shooting compared with 44.8% for the Suns. The Timberwolves made 25 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 17.5 for the Suns. That shooting gap supplied the clearest edge.
The Suns did win one battle, ball security: TOV% of 10.9 against 16.4. The Timberwolves made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 99 possessions per team, the Timberwolves produced 116.7 points per 100 possessions to 104.6 for the Suns.
Who made the difference
Julius Randle was the game's biggest individual force for MIN: 32 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl on 10-17 shooting. His Game Score of 22.2 led everyone. His team was +8 with him on the floor.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 34 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast on 11-27 shooting, good for a 19 Game Score.
Oso Ighodaro (16 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Timberwolves about a 65% chance.
Across the last 6 meetings in our records, Minnesota Timberwolves lead 4-2.
The Timberwolves are now 42-27, and the Suns are 39-30. The Timberwolves last five before this game: L-L-L-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.