Defense comes to the forefront during playoff basketball. But there has been too much of a lower adjustment on this total, especially with the Suns returning to Phoenix to host the Timberwolves. This is the lowest total of the series and Phoenix's lowest total of the season.

The tempo has been good for an Over. The teams are running. What hasn't been good is Phoenix's shooting. The Suns shot 49.3 percent from the floor during the regular season. That was the fifth-best in the league. However, the Suns have shot 44.4 percent from the field during the first two games of this season.

Minnesota has been playing good defense. Bradley Beal and especially Devin Booker are due, though, for big games. I look for the Suns to shoot much better at home where the Timberwolves will be far less intimidating. The Timberwolves will get their share of points, too, against an average Suns defense that has trouble defending in the paint.

Down 2-0 in the series and fresh from hearing Minnesota fans screaming, "Wolves in four! Wolves in four," I expect a monster effort here from the Suns.

Phoenix won all three regular season games against the Timberwolves. The Suns won those games by an average of 15.7 points.

But the Suns have struggled against the Timberwolves during the first two games of this playoff series with both games being in Minnesota. Now, though, the Suns are back in Phoenix in must-win mode.

Devin Booker and Bradley Beal are overdue for big performances especially Booker.

The Royals and Tigers are two of the most improved teams in baseball. I slightly favor the Tigers' pitching matchup with promising Reese Olson against Seth Lugo, a mediocre journeyman.

But why I really like the home Tigers here is the situation. Detroit was idle on Thursday, while the Royals had to sit out nearly a four-hour rain delay in nipping the Blue Jays, 2-1, at home on Thursday. The game was finally called after five innings.

Detroit has underrated pitching. Olson has pitched better than his 0-3 record and 3.80 ERA. The Tigers' hitting has picked up recently. Detroit has scored four or more runs in seven of its last eight games.

Lugo has pitched well to open the season going 3-1 with a 2.03 ERA. I see regression coming, though.