Timberwolves at Raptors
THE STORY: Two franchises trying to climb out of the NBA basement
collide north of the border when the Minnesota Timberwolves visit the
Toronto Raptors on Monday. The Timberwolves picked up their third win of
the season, knocking off the struggling Washington Wizards 93-72
Saturday. The trip to Toronto is the middle game of a
back-to-back-to-back stretch for Minnesota. The Raptors open their own
back-to-back-to-back run against the Timberwolves, trying to snap a
two-game losing streak. Toronto is coming off a flat offensive
performance against the Philadelphia 76ers, losing 97-62 on Saturday.
The Raptors mustered only 28 points in the second half and went 1 of 12
from 3-point range. Toronto has had Minnesota’s number in recent
meetings, losing only once in the teams’ past 10 head-to-head contests
going back to 2006.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), TSN2 (Toronto)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (3-5):
As bad as Minnesota has been in past seasons, there is plenty to look
forward to in the Land of Lakes. The Timberwolves have a roster packed
with young talent, none shining brighter than rookie point guard Ricky
Rubio. The Spaniard is playing his way into a starting spot, averaging
9.9 points and 7.6 assists. He posted 13 points and 14 assists against
Washington, highlighted by a half-court alley-oop to fellow rookie
Derrick Williams.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (3-5): Toronto’s 62
points were the fewest allowed by the 76ers in 15 years – a claim to
fame Raptors coach Dwane Casey isn’t bragging about. The finger is
pointing at small forward DeMar DeRozan, who has scored a total of 11
points in the last two games and is 5 for 19 from the field in that
stretch.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Raptors forward Andrea
Bargnani is putting in hard work on the boards. Often criticized for his
rebounding, the 7-footer grabbed 11 rebounds in the loss to the Sixers.
2.
Timberwolves center Kevin Love’s start to the season has MVP whispers
in Minnesota - he is averaging 25.4 points and 15.0 rebounds. However,
the team should be more concerned about his reluctance to sign beyond
this season.
3. Minnesota is without small forward Michael
Beasley for its three-game stretch after he sprained his right foot
Friday. Wesley Johnson started in his spot Saturday, scoring five
points.