One of the toughest elements of the postseason is handling heightened pressure. For the Minnesota Timberwolves they had a banner year but now enter a phase they have not experienced as a higher seed in the Western Conference. To make matters worse the Suns have won nine out of the last ten matchups including a road win last Sunday. Take Phoenix to get another win over the young Timberwolves.

Kevin Durant averages 41.4 PRA in the playoffs. This is a difficult matchup but KD is still an elite player/scorer and capable of getting home in just points. He is likely to play upwards of 44-46 minutes in this game and may even have the most favorable individual matchup if the Wolves decide to have KAT guard him. Regardless of who defends him he is a matchup nightmare for Minnesota.

Playoffs means more minutes for KD! And he will make sure he gets his shots. Based on the shorter bench and matchup I project 26.5 so let’s grab this in case it creeps up. Rare over

Suns have won the last four meetings with the Timberwolves and they've covered the last nine meetings. That's a nine and 0 ATS trend that's hard to ignore. But Minnesota is better than both losses this year show. The two losses were at the end of the year, while for most of the year, the Suns were struggling but came on at the end of the season with 48 wins. The Timberwolves finished with 56 wins and slowed down towards the end of the season. I think the Timberwolves in the playoffs will be a problem for a tired Suns squad that never came together.

Kevin Durant is feeling it, Booker and Beal are both ready and Minn is a bit overrated on the D end. Expect the 4th to be the highest scoring quarter and this to go over

Provided a nice scoring boost as the Suns solidified their payoff path, got his bag which can only boost his confidence and keep him shooting loose and averaged over three 3 pointers a game vs LAC this season Clippers perimeter defense was often lacking in the second half of the season, Bradley Beal doesn't usually look for his shot as much as he used to, and Allen can get hot quickly. He's +19.7 vs the Mavs this season, which I think the staff will lean into here and give him the kind of run to produce 15+ points as the Suns treat the scoreboard line a pinball machine. Tilt!

Beal is on the ball a lot and has no problem facilitating to some match-ups where others can go off. Also shot the three ball much better down the stretch and flexed his scoring muscles against these T-Wolves over the weekend. Honestly, if this is another run-and-gun game he might go over this on scoring alone, but also think he will pick up some easy assists to KD, Booker and others.

Playoff KD is a think, KD can take over when he needs to and KD carries a nice scoring load down the stretch when needed most. He has been a major headache for the Wolves, despite their overall defensive prowess, he is at least +22 in 3 games against them and is looking for his shot. I expect him to get fed and get to the line as well. Been riding this one into the playoffs and figure it will rise

KD has eclipsed this line in 12 of his last 13 playoff games. Durant is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history and while he may not be at peak powers he is still capable of scoring 30 points versus any opponent on any given night. This is a difficult matchup but the offense will run through him, I anticipate him getting up 18-20+ shots, and he's likely to play 42+ minutes as well.

Sometime one team just lives in the head of another. Seeding doesn't seem to matter. MIN is an elite defensive team and that's the hallmark ... except when they play the Suns. PHX beat them 3 straight, all by 10+ points. Go listen to Anthony Edwards's post-game interview Sun and tell me the Wolves aren't in trouble here. KD at the 4 and the Suns body-types are a problem for MIN; Edwards can't get off high % shots, has 7 or less attempts in 2 of 3 games (13/32 vs PHA for season). KD is +79(!) in 3 games vs them. PHX avg halftime lead vs MIN: 17.7. MIN struggling how to fold KAT back in after long injury absence.