Phoenix started slow against the Kings in Sacramento on Sunday night, allowing the home team to gain a four-point advantage by the end of the first, then widen the gap to ten by the half.

That’s a strategy the Suns will likely need to avoid against the Western Conference player of the week Karl-Anthony Towns and the very much on fire Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

According to the NBA website, Towns blistered the San Antonio Spurs with 60 points and 17 rebounds.  His weekly average of 38.3 points per game, along with 12 rebounds and 3 assists should send any self-respecting coaching staff scrambling to cover.

On Sunday, the Suns stormed back against Sacramento, buoyed by Devin Booker’s 19-point third quarter, the most of any player on either team.

Phoenix was able to come all the way back and force overtime.

However, Booker, Deandre Ayton and center Javele McGee all fouled out for the Suns, leaving it up to shooting guard Landry Shamet and Mikal Bridges to generate offense.

Booker finished the game with 31 points, while Bridges added 27 of his own.

The Suns will have their hands full against Towns and Minnesota on Wednesday.

The Timberwolves are listing only power forward Jaden McDaniels as out, while Phoenix will be without Cam Johnson, Frank Kaminsky, Dario Saric and Chris Paul, with Jae Crowder listed as a game time decision.

The Timberwolves come into the game with the best record in the NBA since the all-star break at 10-2.

However, Suns fans should take solace in knowing that Phoenix has won the last five meetings between the two teams.  You have to go back to Mar. 12, 2012 to find the last time that Minnesota managed a win against the Suns.

Sports betters might have a hard time finding an edge in this game.

The total has gone “under” in 4 of 5 games when Phoenix plays Minnesota on the road, but has gone “over” in 5 of 6 games the Suns have had against Western Conference opponents.