Raptors at Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves do not look like a team playing out the string. They will look to keep alive a rare winning streak when they host the Toronto Raptors on Friday. With a 107-98 victory at Milwaukee on Wednesday, the Timberwolves had won two in a row for the first time since a four-game run in December. They have won five of eight overall after a 7-28 stretch. Nikola Pekovic continued his personal surge with 27 points against the Bucks.
Two nights after being officially eliminated from playoff contention for the fifth consecutive season, the Raptors won for just the second time in their last nine games on Wednesday night, topping Washington 88-78. Jonas Valanciunas made 16-of-18 free throws and scored a season-high 24 points to lead Toronto, which saw leading scorer Rudy Gay score just six points in 24 minutes as he struggled with a twisted ankle. The Raptors showed some rare defensive might by holding the Wizards to a 32.5 percent mark from the floor.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TSN2 (Toronto)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (28-47): It is the time of year when teams like Toronto search for silver linings. It might have one in Valanciunas, a first-year player who has barreled through the rookie wall to post some of his best numbers late in the season. He has three double-doubles in his last four games while blocking 13 shots in that span. If he qualified, Valanciunas would rank among the league leaders in field-goal percentage. He has made 59-of-87 (67.8 percent) shots over a 10-game stretch.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (28-46): Minnesota has ranked as the worst 3-point shooting team in the league for a large portion of the season, but it found the touch at Milwaukee. Led by Ricky Rubio's 5-for-6 effort from the arc, the Timberwolves shot 8-of-13. The 61.5 percent showing was a team season high. It may be an indication that Rubio, not normally known for his shooting, could be adding another element to his game. "He really shot the ball well in the first half," coach Rick Adelman said. "I think he is going to get better and better at that, especially at shooting the threes."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Toronto guards Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan had matching lines in a 105-86 win over Minnesota on Nov. 4. Both finished with 22 points on eight field goals, seven rebounds, three steals and two turnovers.
2. Pekovic has averaged 28 points on 68.9 percent shooting in two games since returning from a sprained ankle.
3. The Raptors have won 15 of the last 16 meetings.
PREDICTION: Timberwolves 106, Raptors 99