Suns' Eric Gordon, Timberwolves' Jaden McDaniels could be X-factors in Game 2

The Phoenix Suns need a major boost from their bench to bounce back in Game 2 on Tuesday.

During the Minnesota Timberwolves' blowout Game 1 win of their first-round series on Saturday, their bench outscored Phoenix's reserves, 41-18. Royce O'Neale scored all of the Suns reserves' 14 points before both team's coaches pulled out the starters late in the fourth quarter.

Phoenix could return home in a 2-0 hole without adjusting. Here's a look at Phoenix and Minnesota role players who could be X factors in Game 2.

Gordon needs to break shooting slump

Eric Gordon: Averages vs. Timberwolves in two regular season games (DNP on Apr. 14, migraine) include 9.5 points, 49.5% shooting, 1.3 assists, 23 min, plus-7.5

Gordon's lost his rhythm in April. He made 38.5% on 3s from the start of the season through March to a steep decline at 25.8% this month, went 0-of-5 overall in Game 1, and finished with two rebounds, one steal, one block, and two turnovers in 21 minutes. One of his best shooting performances this season was against Minnesota on Nov. 15 when he started and scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, 3-of-6 from 3, and added three assists. That's a performance the Suns need from him to regain his shooting touch and help the Suns' 3-point shooting, which was just 32% in Game 1.

Their top long-range shooter Grayson Allen (ankle) is questionable for Game 2. If Allen becomes unavailable, O'Neale will likely replace him as a starter. Gordon usually replaces Bradley Beal in the Suns' first-quarter rotation, was in the their lineup to open the second-quarter and could get more minutes than the 21 he got on Saturday if he shoots well in Game 2.

In addition to Minnesota nearly doubling the Suns, 52-28 in rebounds during Game 1, they dominated 20-6 in second chance points. One thing about extending possessions from offensive rebounding is the Suns being ready for spot-up 3s on kick-outs and extra passes from ball movement. Gordon is usually along the wing when the Suns get offensive boards, or begins the Suns' half-court sets in the left corner for spacing as a 3-point threat (hits 40% on corner 3s, 38% on none-corner 3s, per Cleaning the Glass).

T-Wolves' McDaniels can wear down top players like Booker

Jaden McDaniels' key stats vs. Suns this season: Averages of 10 points, 45.3% shooting, 0.7 steals

The Timberwolves' starting forward scored nine points, grabbed six rebounds, got two blocks, and was a plus-18 in Game 1. He isn't a great shooter (.489/.337.722 splits), but is good at getting buckets attacking the rim. He specializes in disrupting the game with his 6-foot-9 size, quickness and speed on defense. He helps guard the other team's best backcourt players such as Devin Booker and other players along the wing, and can go inside with switches on pick-and-rolls with his length.

At the Timberwolves' Monday practice, McDaniels explained how their coach Chris Finch emphasized the importance of offensive rebounding (had two in Game 1) in relation to having Booker on McDaniels as well. Booker finished with 18 points on a meager 5-of-18 shooting in the series opener.

"Coach be on me about it all the time. Crash if you’re just sitting in the corner. Just go crash every time," McDaniels said, according to an X post by T-Wolves beat writer Dane Moore. "Most of the time it’s one of the best players on the other team guarding me. So he just told me the more you crash, the more that player gets tired, he has to worry about you and he can’t have all his energy for offense."

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns' Gordon, Timberwolves' McDaniels could be X-factors in Game 2