The Timberwolves are coming into this game against the Toronto Raptors fresh off a back-to-back in Denver. Minnesota didn’t get the win on the road but was looking to get back into the winning column tonight. The Timberwolves were without Rudy Gobert again as he sat with (Groin Soreness).
The Raptors came out hot in this game as the Timberwolves didn’t know what hit them. Scottie Barnes and Fred VanVleet were having their way early in this one. Barnes was able to get Naz Reid in a little foul trouble which opened things up for the Raptors to attack the paint with ease. Barnes and Siakam have the length with ball handling skills that just makes them tough guards. The Raptors had it all going their way as they shot 50% from the field and 3-point land in the game. Also, the Raptors had all five of their starters in double figures led by Scottie Barnes. Tonight was one of those games where Barnes was able to flourish and show exactly why he’s one of the best upcoming talents in the NBA as he finished with 29 points. The Raptors had it all going but then the Timberwolves came storming back after being down by 18 points at home.
The Timberwolves player that set the tone in the second half of the game was D’Angelo Russell. It seemed as though every two seconds in the arena I heard Jay-Z’s “D’Angeloooooo” because Russell was just making shot after shot. Russell took over that 4th quarter with 16 points showing that he can get it done when the lights shine the brightest. DLo is one of the only players on this team that can create his own space/shot while still trying to make the right basketball play for his teammates. Tonight it was all about D’Angelo Russell making the best of his moment. Russell went 4/4 from the 3-point line and he couldn’t miss in the 4th quarter at all. When Russell gets it going like that anything is possible. Russell was able to start that comeback off on his own but he was able to bring Anthony Edwards along with him. Edwards was able to make some tough baskets down the stretch of the game as he was able to finish with 23 points on the night. It’s cool seeing Edwards put up the points but it was the job he did on the defensive end on Siakam that saved this game. There were multiple possessions where Anthony was picking up the best player and tonight showed that true growth we have all been waiting to see as he emerges into that two-way player. The Timberwolves only had 5 players in double figures but when it was all set and done D’Angelo Russell held it down for the team tonight offensively.
The Timberwolves will be hosting the Houston Rockets on Saturday as they look to build upon this new winning streak now.
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