Timberwolves at Suns
The Phoenix Suns aim for their first home win in nearly a month when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. The Suns capped a 2-2 road trip with a 115-119 loss at Houston on Saturday but took some comfort in pushing the high-powered Rockets to the wire.
"We have a mentality that we just don't give in," Phoenix coach Monty Williams told reporters. "We're playing young guys that are learning how to play against physical NBA men and that's part of developing." Another part of the development process is also figuring out how to defend one's home court, and Phoenix has some work to do in that regard after losing its last four at Talking Stick Resort Arena. One of the Suns' five road wins was a 100-98 triumph at Minnesota earlier in the season, when Devin Booker went for 35 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists to lead Phoenix. The Timberwolves bounced back from that loss with back-to-back victories but have since lost four straight, including Sunday's 142-125 setback at the NBA-leading Los Angeles Lakers.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (10-12): Eight players scored in double figures and Minnesota shot 51.8 percent Sunday, but there was no slowing down Lakers stars Anthony Davis (50 points) and LeBron James (32). Center Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 19 points and tied his season high with eight assists for the second straight game. The loss dropped the Timberwolves to 0-3 on their four-game road trip after they opened the season 7-2 away from home.
ABOUT THE SUNS (10-12): Booker led the way in Saturday's loss with 35 points on 11-of-19 shooting, two days after posting a season-high 44 points in an overtime victory at New Orleans. Backup forward Mikal Bridges chipped in 14 points on 5-of-5 shooting and has scored in double figures in five straight games after doing so three times in his first 17 contests. Ricky Rubio finished with 13 assists and has 50 against only seven turnovers in four games this month.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Towns had 31 points and 17 rebounds in the first meeting.
2. Suns C Aron Baynes (calf) missed all four games on the road trip but may return Monday.
3. Timberwolves rookie C Naz Reid made his NBA debut Sunday at Los Angeles and made one 3-pointer in three minutes.