Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Monday’s NBA matchup between the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Cue up “Roundball Rock” — the Minnesota Timberwolves host the Phoenix Suns at Target Center for some Monday night NBA on NBC.

The Wolves (15–8, 6th West) aren’t just hungry to extend their season-high five-game winning streak — they’re starving to avenge last month’s ignominious late-game collapse against the Suns (13–10, 7th West) in Phoenix.

Minnesota blew an eight-point lead with 50 seconds left, and Anthony Edwards missed a pair of crucial free throws with 12 seconds remaining. That left the door open for Collin Gillespie to bury a decisive go-ahead jumper with six seconds on the clock — a meltdown that knocked the Wolves out of NBA Cup contention for the third consecutive year.

Here’s a look at the Injury Report:

Phoenix Suns

Out: Devin Booker (Groin), Jalen Green (Hamstring), Isaiah Livers (Hip)

Questionable: Dillon Brooks (Achilles)

Minnesota Timberwolves

Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Minnesota enters as a 7.5-point home favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Phoenix is listed as a +275 underdog. The game’s total is set at 223.5 points. 

Suns vs. Timberwolves Preview

Phoenix Suns Preview

 The Suns have continued to peek through the clouds despite offloading Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in the offseason, holding onto a strong 13th-ranked net rating. But Phoenix has stumbled as of late, dropping four of its last six games — an issue exacerbated by the recent sidelining of Devin Booker. 

The Suns will be without Booker for a second consecutive game, scrambling to make up for his team-leading 25 points and 6.7 assists a night. They failed to do so on Friday night against the Houston Rockets, held below 100 points in a 19-point rout. 

Without Booker and Jalen Green — who has played just two games this season while nursing a hamstring injury — the Suns limp into the Land of 10,000 Lakes as a shell of themselves. Phoenix would likely attempt to play through Dillon Brooks, who’s averaging a respectable 22.3 points per game, but even he’s listed as questionable ahead of Monday night’s contest. 

Minnesota Timberwolves Preview

The Wolves are cruising right now, winners of five consecutive games that boast the NBA’s seventh-best net rating and rank fourth in three-point percentage. But they hit some speed bumps in their latest win — once again by their own making. 

Against the Clippers on Saturday, Minnesota clawed out from an 18-point deficit but nearly coughed up another late-game lead of its own. They instead got bailed out by Naz Reid, who drilled a go-ahead three-pointer with 13 seconds left, and held on for a 109–106 victory. 

Save for some unnecessary last-minute malaise, the win remained impressive on multiple fronts. Even on a night where Anthony Edwards tallied just 15 points on 3-for-11 shooting, the Wolves found a way to win. Jaden McDaniels dropped a season-high 27 points and iced the game with a pair of clutch free throws, Julius Randle added 24 points and six assists, and Reid finished with 19 points off the bench, with his go-ahead trey marking his fifth of the game.

Suns vs. Timberwolves Pick, Best Bet

Against the stumbling Suns, the Wolves are well-positioned to feast on Monday night — so long as they don’t play with their food again.

Even without Booker, the Suns remain dangerous on multiple fronts. Not only are they strong perimeter shooters, but they’re extremely active on the offensive boards and lead the league in steals per game — nightmarish qualities for an opponent that tends to fall asleep.

But Minnesota is unlikely to repeat the same mistakes against the same team. Count on the Wolves to channel that embarrassment into fuel, playing sharp, focused, and motivated for all 48 minutes as they settle the score — and then some — on Monday night.

Best Bet: Minnesota Timberwolves -8.5 Points (+100)