Suns at Timberwolves
THE STORY: Two teams headed in opposite directions will be on the floor when the Phoenix Suns travel to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. The Suns, who are opening a four-game road trip, will be looking for their fifth win in six games as they slowly climb the playoff ladder. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, have faded from the postseason race in part to mounting injuries.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2, FS Arizona, ESPN3.com
ABOUT THE SUNS (29-27): The Suns are coming off one of their most complete wins of the campaign, notching a season-high in points during a 125-105 triumph over the Kobe Bryant-less Los Angeles Lakers. Shannon Brown scored 20 of his 24 points in the third quarter and is averaging 17.6 points in eight games as a starter. It was the latest victory in a stretch that has seen Phoenix go 17-8 since the middle of February to move within one game of the No. 8 seed in the West.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (25-32): Ricky Rubio's injury has been a disaster for the Timberwolves as the club has dropped 13 of 17 games since the rookie sensation was hurt March 9. The last five games have all resulted in losses for Minnesota, including a 99-90 setback to New Orleans on Saturday. All-Star forward Kevin Love has carried the club offensively, scoring 20-plus points in nine consecutive outings. He had a game-high 30 in the previous meeting with the Suns.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Suns have won five in a row at the Target Center.
2. Timberwolves point guard Luke Ridnour, who took over as starter with Rubio sidelined, could miss a fourth straight game with a sprained ankle.