NBA Playoffs 2024 Same-Game Parlay: Suns vs. Timberwolves Game 2

Game 1 between the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves wasn't much of a competitive matchup, and with Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday night at the Target Center, Kevin Durant and company will look to put up a more valiant effort to draw even in their best-of-seven series.

Let's put together a same-game parlay and win some money.

(Related Link) Suns vs. Timberwolves First Round Preview, Betting Odds

Phoenix Suns vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Game 2

Matchup Page: Phoenix Suns vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 7:30 p.m. ET

Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 1: Minnesota Timberwolves ATS -3

Minnesota's 120-95 win in Game 1 was the type of authoritative, statement victory the team required after entering the first round as an underdog, despite finishing the regular season one game out of the first seed in the Western Conference and a full seven games ahead of its opposition.

Phoenix had swept the season series 3-0, with the Timberwolves trailing by double digits for the entirety of all second halves. On Saturday, though, it was Minnesota's balanced effort offensively and stout defense, holding Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to a combined 33 points on 11-of-26 shooting, which got the job done.

The Timberwolves ended the 2023-24 campaign with four-straight wins at home SU when favored by three or more points, which is the spread for Tuesday's clash. A 12-20-1 record ATS under said criteria leaves a lot to leave desired, though, and there's no forgetting how poorly the team fared across those three games against the Suns. 

The postseason at least wipes the slate clean. Outside of a 31-point effort from Durant, no one on Phoenix looked particularly good in Game 1, which won't be the case in Game 2 on sheer talent alone. Minnesota looked every bit the dominant side which allowed a league-best 108.4 points per 100 possessions, and should at least keep the Suns' Big Three at bay enough to go up 2-0 before heading to the Footprint Center for Games 3 and 4.

Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 2: Karl-Anthony Towns OVER 18.5 Points

Karl-Anthony Towns played the fewest minutes of any Timberwolves starter in Game 1, with the team remaining cautious as the All-Star forward continues to work his way back from a torn meniscus in his left knee. Towns has yet to exceed 30 minutes across the three games he's competed in since returning, including Game 1.

Despite his playing time being kept in check, Towns still mustered up a respectable 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting and a flawless 8-of-8 at the charity stripe on Saturday. Teammate Anthony Edwards was the workhorse with a game-high 33 points off of 24 shot attempts, and veteran guard Mike Conley took 12 but only made a pair, so there's room for Towns to slowly but surely be incorporated more into the offensive game plan.

The Suns simply don't have enough size to contend with Minnesota's frontcourt, especially with a player as big and mobile as Towns. With more looks, breaking the 18.5-point total should be a breeze as Phoenix continues to offer little resistance.

Same-Game Parlay Pick No. 3: Nickeil Alexander-Walker OVER 8.5 Points

Reserves always perform better on their home floor in the playoffs, and Canadian Nickeil Alexander-Walker was the standout bench performer from Game 1 for Minnesota finishing with 18 points, four 3-pointers, and four steals with a plus-minus rating of +28.

His 18-point outing was his fourth-highest-scoring night of the entire season, and it came at a perfect time. The Timberwolves' second unit only ranked 21st overall in scoring, so Alexander-Walker's stellar showing under the bright lights was a pleasant surprise.

Hoping for a similar line may be too daunting, but exceeding a reasonable 8.5 points isn't asking the world. If anything, Alexander-Walker's defense should keep him on the hardwood long enough to nail this prop.