We're not asking anything new of Nurkic. He finds tremendous success against Minnesota, averaging 3 blocks + steals against them this season and combing for 11 in his two most recent games against them. While Rudy Gobert seems to have him locked down in just about every other category, this seems like a good spot Nurkic can continue to contribute in this series.

I like the Suns to go into halftime with the lead in Game 2 as they are desperate to even this series. The longer the game goes, the more Minnesota's defense will grind Phoenix down. But the Suns will be successful early.

The Suns already are an incredibly thin team after their three All-Stars and likely will be without Grayson Allen tonight -- or if he does play, clearly not 100 percent after injuring his ankle in Game 1. Allen was the NBA's top three-point shooter by percentage during the season and averaged 19.0 ppg in the three-game season sweep against the Wolves but only had four in Game 1 before leaving. Minnesota also has a ton more size and dominated the boards. That's not changing.

KD is their best and hottest player and the season is on the line. PX will not get blown out so even more chances to fill the stats for KD. We played this a lot (including last game) let’s go back. Was te,pets to just play points but they might make KD give it up…..Minn also knows KD is the #1 priority

This line is just too low for KD who averages over 40 PRA over his career in the postseason. This line hasn't properly adjusted even in a tough matchup. I also expect to play at least an addition 3-5 minutes considering game 1 was a BO and he still got home.

If you spend much time in this space, you'll see we were all over this the final week of the regular season, with PHX fighting for playoff sed and also in Game 1. KD came out smokin' with 11 early points and we cashed this again. I don't see a way for the Suns to make this a series without KD going for 30+ and being proactive with his shot. After being almost +80 in 3 regular season games he was -20 Sat despite scoring 30+. The Wolves smell blood and Anthony Edwards will be attacking. With Grayson Allen ailing and Bradley Beal's scoring hit or miss, and without a heavy-scoring center, KD is going to have to try to be Superman

The Suns were a horrible match-up for Edwards, as we chronicled in our Game 1 preview. KD's length was a problem (he was +22 or better all 3 games) and ANT could barely get his shot off, let alone score. I wondered if MIN could make strategic adjustments and is the return of KAT would unlock some things - 14/24 from the floor and 33 points later we got our answer. The offense should run through Edwards at home again Monday. He averaged 25/G at home this season and his minutes are obviously up in the playoffs as a superstar. Suns will likely keep this game closer which means even more of ANT on the floor and trying to get to the goal.