It has been a season saving run that the Suns have been on, having won five of six games since the All-Star break. Going into Monday nights game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Chicago Bulls, who own the best record in the NBA, we’re the only other team to have one loss since the break.
One of the five teams the Suns beat in this stretch was the Timberwolves back on March 1. That loss was avenged as the Wolves hit on all cylinders to end the Suns streak with a 127-124 victory on Monday, led by Kevin Love who had 30 points.
With the loss, the Suns remain behind Portland and Houston for the tenth spot in the west. If the Suns were able to pull out the win Monday, they could have found themselves in a tie with Portland and a game back in the loss column from Houston for that final playoff spot.
The Suns will have the ability to bounce back with two very winnable home games to finish out the week against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday and the Detroit Pistons on Friday. Then a chance to make up ground head to head verse the Houston Rockets on Sunday.
The next three games could be considered crucial as one of the most difficult road trips of the season is looming next week when the Suns will travel to Miami, Orlando, Indiana and Cleveland.
For more on the Suns, follow Jared Cohen on Twitter at @JaredPros2Preps.