Timberwolves at Suns
THE STORY: Phoenix plays its first game since Feb. 22 Thursday when the Minnesota Timberwolves travel to US Airways Center to take on the host Suns. Phoenix has won eight consecutive games against Minnesota and has swept the season series in two straight seasons. The Suns haven’t lost a season series to the Timberwolves since point guard Steve Nash re-joined the team before the 2004-05 campaign. Phoenix also holds a 32-11 advantage in games played in the Valley of the Sun against Minnesota.
TV: 9 p.m ET, FSN-North (Minnesota), FSN-Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (18-18): The Timberwolves are playing the final contest of a back-to-back-to-back. Forward Kevin Love was expected to start for the Timberwolves on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, but the team announced 30 minutes before tip-off that he wouldn’t play because of flu-like symptoms. Rookie Derrick Williams took Love’s spot and scored 10 points in the 104-85 loss to the Lakers. The former Arizona Wildcat dropped a career-high 27 points in a 109-97 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.
ABOUT THE SUNS (14-20): The Suns are playing the fourth game of a six-game homestand in their first action since the All-Star break. Phoenix plays seven of its first nine games in the month of March at home. Nash made his eighth All-Star appearance on Sunday and his franchise-record tying sixth as a member of the Suns. The two-time MVP will become a free agent after this season. There are numerous reports that suggest Suns’ owner Robert Sarver is determined to convince Nash to re-sign with the club for at least two more years.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Suns won the first 25 games in the all-time series with the Timberwolves, which is their longest win streak against a single team in franchise history. Phoenix has taken 19 of the last 24 meetings with Minnesota.
2. Minnesota is 5-2 in its last seven games.
3. Phoenix is 12-3 this season when leading at the half and 2-17 when trailing.