Chris Hine

MINNEAPOLIS — Since the Suns put the capstone on their seasonlong shellacking of the Timberwolves with a 125-106 victory Sunday at Target Center, there has been plenty of time for

The two teams were built in different ways, and will slug it out after impressive regular seasons.

MINNEAPOLIS — For a week, the Timberwolves heard the talk that the Suns were a bad match for them in the first round of the playoffs.

MINNEAPOLIS — For a week, the Timberwolves heard the talk that the Suns were a bad match for them in the first round of the playoffs.

Anthony Edwards' big third quarter sparked the Wolves to a decisive victory over Phoenix in the playoff opener.

MINNEAPOLIS — With under a minute to play in the third quarter Saturday, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards shifted around a screen and pulled the trigger on a 3-pointer from the left wing.

Wolves coach Chris Finch can extend or slash playing time, even for some of the team's usual starters, based on how certain players are performing on a game-to-game basis.

The Wolves acquired Rudy Gobert in July of 2022 to help shore up their rebounding, and he's certainly helped. But the team's guards and forwards know they're expected to contribute, especially against a team that likes to run as much as Phoenix.

Wolves point guard Mike Conley says his team will be prepared for what might come tonight.

Jaden McDaniels (25 points) and Mike Conley (18) stepped up during a quiet offensive night for the Wolves' stars, but the team's second-half defense punished and frustrated Phoenix into disarray.