The Phoenix Suns secured their third straight win by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 97-87 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday. This victory solidifies their position at sixth place in the Western Conference, sitting one game above the New Orleans Pelicans with five regular-season games remaining.
In a rare NBA matchup, neither team reached the coveted 100-point mark, highlighting a defensive battle rarely seen in today's high-scoring league. The Suns showcased balanced offensive efforts with five players in the starting lineup scoring in double digits, two of whom surpassed the 20-point threshold.
On the other side, the Timberwolves struggled offensively, managing only two players with more than 10 points. Anthony Edwards led the charge for Minnesota with 17 points from 19 field goal attempts, contributing three assists but also committing four turnovers.
Despite their defensive rating of 115.5 this season, ranking 13th out of 30 teams, the Suns effectively implemented coach Frank Vogel's strategy. The team consistently deployed additional defenders to limit Edwards' penetration, successfully slowing him down and intercepting his passes, which proved crucial in maintaining their defensive edge.
As the regular season nears its end, the Suns are positioning themselves strongly within the Western Conference, demonstrating resilience and strategic gameplay that could pave the way for a successful postseason run.
Reference(s):
NBA highlights on April 5: T-Wolves show poor offense in loss to Suns
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