The adjustment yet to be tapped by the Suns features Durant at the 5. The intent will be to force the Wolves’ bigs into space. The issue with that design is that the Suns don’t have the offensive wings to hum in a small-ball lineup. The lineup would be Booker, Beal, a limping Grayson Allen, Durant and … Eric Gordon? Royce O’Neale? Bol Bol? Basing an offensive attack and a season’s survival on O’Neale getting hot from deep is a sign of desperation. That may be the only way the Suns top this team total against the best defense in the NBA, and if so, then there is massive value on this number and any total north of 104.
Reid has scored 10+ twice in this series, even though he has shot relatively poorly. Going 4-of-14 from deep (28.6%) is wildly below his 42.4% in the regular season’s final five weeks. The obvious Suns adjustment that they have not yet tried will be to play more minutes with Kevin Durant at the 5. Reid should feast against those lineups. Anytime he gets a step on a defender, Reid will drive into the lane to shoot runners and layups over those smaller defenders. Reid scored 13 points in just 18 minutes on Friday. He doesn’t need much time to put up points, but if the Suns try a smaller lineup, Reid should see more time, because he will be more effective offensively against those lineups.
Total PicksMIN 403, PHO 230
jbros01 is #1 on picking games that Phoenix is in with a record of (53-27-0) and +13950 units on the season.
mickthequick is #10 on picking games that Minnesota is in with a record of (28-14-1) and +7260 units on the season.
elodoya24 is #2 on picking games that Minnesota is in with a record of (35-22-1) and +11150 units on the season.
seattle-8 is #2 on picking games that Phoenix is in with a record of (46-26-1) and +10100 units on the season.
Varart is #3 on picking games that Phoenix is in with a record of (17-11-0) and +9700 units on the season.
Jtdc76 is #5 on picking games that Minnesota is in with a record of (17-9-0) and +8150 units on the season.
burley is #5 on picking games that Phoenix is in with a record of (40-39-1) and +9500 units on the season.
rstacey is #7 on picking games that Minnesota is in with a record of (12-3-0) and +7650 units on the season.
Paintedface is #8 on picking games that Phoenix is in with a record of (54-27-1) and +8600 units on the season.
Dilligaf54 is #9 on picking games that Phoenix is in with a record of (31-20-0) and +8500 units on the season.
COFFEE29 is #9 on picking games that Minnesota is in with a record of (42-39-1) and +7280 units on the season.