Minnesota Timberwolves dominated by Phoenix Suns to set up first round playoff matchup

The Minnesota Timberwolves put up very little resistance in a regular-season finale loss to the Phoenix Suns, setting up a first-round playoff matchup between the same two teams. Ben Beecken (@bbeecken) breaks down the loss, including the Wolves' unbelievable sloppiness with the ball in the first half and rebounding issues in the second half. Plus, the Suns' hot shooting and how much of their success is attributable to the Wolves' defensive lapses versus Phoenix's shot-makers. What can we glean from the Suns' season series sweep over the Wolves as we look ahead to the playoff matchup?
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[@noahwelch2931]

1. Suns are 10-1 against us in our last 11 2. We don’t guard the midrange well 3. Rudy Gobert’s defensive impact isn’t that important against a team that doesn’t attack the rim 4. Jaden and Ant historically have sucked against Booker and Durant 5. We have literally no one to guard Allen and Beal (maybe if we plant NAW in the starting lineup) 6. Our offense is not good enough to beat this zone-gap look that the Suns are giving us 7. Naz Reid has been horrible against the Suns this year 8. It would be different if JUST our offense was struggling or JUST our defense, but the Suns have exposed both sides of the ball and that’s why we have been blown out 3 times 9. Phoenixes “bad bench” and “poor 4th quarters” don’t seem to factor in against us 10. Also it’s very concerning that 2 games now we have had Nurkic in foul trouble and we can’t dominant the paint still, despite us being the biggest team in basketball

[@jerrystraka7856]

If KAT would take a Jokic type position outside of the lane (spacing) while ANT cuts and Conley weaves around Rudy and they use motion and passing rather than pump fakes and driving, maybe they'll have more success. ISO ball isn't the answer, yet they devolve into it against Phoenix for some unknown reason. Maybe it's trying to be KD. ISO works for KD, but shouldn't be emulated by ANT and KAT. Defense? Zone won't work. I think you're right about NAW. Use him. Maybe instead of Jaden. Perhaps Conley. NAZ needs to stay outside against them and stop the ISO crap too. Shoot 3's. Phoenix is tough. But not unbeatable by any stretch. Just keep NAZ and KAT outside with ANT and NAW and Conley swerving around (JMac too) The offense falls apart in ISO.

[@ktwdn6119]

Conley ANT NAW Jaden KAT starting lineup, fck it

[@samuel_heinz2649]

RIP you guys. Suns fans we've been tortured all season, but we know this is the matchup we wanted. Suns in 6.

[@seth3189]

There's always a moment in the torture when you think it's going to end.....

[@jerrystraka7856]

as to those suggesting Finchy's rotation was the problem? after 9 minutes they were down by 15....with the starters in HOW IS THAT A ROTATION PROBLEM?? slow starts are due to starters.

[@lucasduarte3210]

We need more NAW and Jaden minutes together when KD and Beal are in so they can give them a hard time. Ant on Booker…

[@noahwelch2931]

Ant cannot guard Booker why do fans think this

[@cowboyeti]

Reason Gobert was able to have a big 3rd qtr was because Nurkic was out of the game in foul trouble.

[@ryancross8136]

You guys have a lot of lifetime fitnesses 😂GO SUNS

[@mario6150]

KD and booker gonna win game each themselves. Then allen and beal gomna combine to win a game. And they have team win to put them away

[@jjmcg9688]

Turnovers are unforgivable. That’s the series. Ironically phx fans are complaining of the refs. Yesterday mentally it was weird. I haven’t seen that defense like that all year.

[@bigcarlito]

Naz and Jaden need to use their size advantage - both offensively and most importantly on the boards

[@farming4g]

Turnovers killed them once again... Causes no offense and defense takes a hit. Seems like a theme for the Wolves this year with turnovers and yet they were still in the game.

[@thedoubtfuls]

Yea suns sneaky good and causing turnovers steals deflections w wolves

[@trentonschultz479]

It’s gonna be a tough one i think our only shot is if KAT comes off the bench. We matchup against Durant and Booker well but we need someone for Beal and Conley hasn’t been doing great on him so If Conley is on Allen KAT can’t guard Beal so I say start NAW over KAT

[@noahwelch2931]

Defensively this would work, however we run into bigger issues on the offense against. Phoenix is completely loading up on Ant and the reason we keep turning it over so much against Phoenix is because of the defense they are deploying against us. We need another shot creator next to Ant

[@TC-uj6jc]

I agree but sub out Rudy quick for Kat

[@mario6150]

I like the Wolves as a team but this a terrible matchup for them. The suns are gonna small with Durant at the 5 and it's gonna ugly. They got to many shooters. If Minnesota don't find a way to adjust to that they gonna lose in 5

[@signorpops8520]

The refs made sure it wan not a complete blowout.

[@jerrystraka7856]

NO SHOW ANT and calamity KAT reverted to "selfish ball" and turned it over 9 times in the first half between the two of them. ANT just doesn't show up at select games. you know...for a guy making $3 million a month i expect effort. every game. not select games. every game. NO SHOW ANT is pathetic... and calamity KAT? thick skulled. stubborn. lack of self awareness. keeps barreling into trouble, time and time again. he's a lost cause. move him in the off season... HE JUST DOSEN'T GET IT AND NEVER WILL

[@timl998]

Do u fear suns?

[@andyj952]

is this bait? Ant is about to be All NBA, largely due to his consistency against good teams. He played bad last night but acting like he no-shows against good teams regularly is BS and you know it, lol

[@JamesJetland]

@@timl998 no

[@jerrystraka7856]

@@timl998 not if ANT and KAT play team ball. move the ball. and find the open man

[@timl998]

@@jerrystraka7856 they do 9/10 times

[@maxwellkromah8026]

I like our coach but I don’t know what got into his head to put Kat on Allan that was not smart

[@samexoldx]

Even if they had won yesterday odds are they still would have landed Phoenix in the first round. I think the sports gods just hate this market.

[@ObscureManifesto]

If they won they would have gotten the 2 seed. No suns

[@samexoldx]

@@ObscureManifesto The Suns would've been 7th seed and most likely won their play in game and then we would've had to play them.

[@jsalcido8425]

@@ObscureManifestosuns drop to 7 seed pelicans go to 6th so yea suns vs wolves regardless 😂😂 suns in 4

[@tonymack2007]

​@@jsalcido8425wolves in 5

[@azmadeclutch9666]

@@tonymack2007crack is one hell of a drug

[@HandlesAreStupid2024]

Not a lot of 7 footers you say? *laughs in Nurkic, Bol Bol, & KD*

[@LFLFootballJett]

KD is 6’11

[@mario6150]

This a terrible matchup for the wolves

[@timl998]

Wolves terrible on offense and defense, 30 turnovers. I don't think that will happen again

[@abduraxmaan450]

Might have to bench van

[@johnjohnson1657]

This ain't good at all....Wolves better do some soul searching or we'll be out in the first round first 3 games. SMDH.

[@noahwelch2931]

Welp

[@DC-lu3ii]

Nervous for the series but if they can pull it off the confidence will be insane heading to round 2.

[@farming4g]

If they beat the Suns they will get to the Finals.

[@AnimeBronx]

@@farming4g😂😂😂🤡

[@jsalcido8425]

Suns in 4

[@GregoryBirulkin]

The suns were flopping fooling the refs.

[@discowolf25]

KD and Booker both just… fall. All good. Ants eat snakes alive.

[@AnimeBronx]

@@discowolf25😂😂 the suns have destroyed the wolves this season

[@jaeehovaa]

Check who got more free throws be fr lmao

[@jsalcido8425]

Suns flopping?? You do realize wolves shot 31 free throws and suns shot 18 so please explain

[@azmadeclutch9666]

Lmaooo

[@AnimeBronx]

The Timberwolves have no shot!

[@axsbox7658]

Well..