Phoenix @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 15, 2018 ) Minnesota 99, Phoenix 107

After back-to-back losses to two of the better teams in the NBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves will try their hand against one of the worst when they host the Phoenix Suns on Sunday in the front end of a home-and-home set. The Timberwolves had won four of five prior to an ugly 149-107 loss at Philadelphia on Tuesday, and they were edged 116-113 by San Antonio in a return home Friday.

"We're a no-excuse team," coach Ryan Saunders told reporters after his team was whistled for 28 fouls, including six on star center Karl-Anthony Towns. "We made our own mistakes at times. We had opportunities to win. So, there's nothing on the officials." The Suns have lost the first three contests on their four-game road trip and they've given up at least 130 points in two of those defeats. They allowed the Charlotte Hornets to shoot 54.5 percent from the floor and dominate the glass by a 53-26 margin in Saturday's 135-115 loss. Devin Booker finished with 32 points and 11 assists at Charlotte as Phoenix fell to 4-19 on the road.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE SUNS (11-36): Saturday's loss was made even more difficult by the departures of rookie center Deandre Ayton (left ankle sprain) and reserve forward Richaun Holmes (left foot sprain). Kelly Oubre Jr. did his part with 24 points off the bench and, despite the lopsided loss, sees some positives on the horizon. "A lot of times it's up and down because we're still learning and growing, so I feel as if once we lock in on the little details of being great, everything else will follow suit," Oubre told reporters.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (21-24): Towns tied his season low with 21 minutes as foul trouble hurt his cause against the Spurs, but the big man still finished with 23 points and is averaging 24.8 in January. Guard Derrick Rose, who combined with Towns for 53 points in a loss at Phoenix last month, also had 23 in Friday's loss while making all 11 of his free throws. His fellow reserves combined to score 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting as Minnesota fell to 11-17 against Western Conference opponents.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Minnesota visits Phoenix on Tuesday to begin a three-game road trip.

2. Oubre is averaging 21 points and seven rebounds over his last four games.

3. Timberwolves PF Taj Gibson has four double-doubles in his last seven games after producing four in his first 37 contests.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 117, Suns 107