Raptors 110, Timberwolves 102
In a preview of this year’s NBA Finals, the Toronto Raptors took on the Minnesota Timberwolves…..ahem, ok ok…not the most exciting matchup last night as it was a battle between two lower tier teams without their star players. But it was a big game for both the Raptors and Wolves where the Raptors were looking to end a 6-game losing streak and this was Minnesota’s first game time to shine without their star, Al Jefferson.
The Minnesota Timberwolves who were thin upfront, had the youg rookie Kevin Love guarding J.O. Love could not contain Jermaine O’Neal in the closing minutes as he took advantage of the matchup, putting away the Woves.
THE GOODS
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Joey Graham started out strong with 11 pts and 3 rebounds in the first quarter
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The Raptors led 23-16 after the first holding the Timberwolves to 33% shooting
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After a bad second quarter, the Raps got it going as Jason Kapono hit some big threes to get within one
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Great fourth quarter by the Raps outscoring the Wolves 37-22 as their strategy of feeding the ball down low to J.O. paid off
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J.O. got points in the paint to get up 104-96 and then another basket to get up 106-98
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Joey Graham and J.O. played some big minutes, 38 and 42 minutes respectively to lead the Raps
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Jason Kapono had 18 points off ot the bench to help the Raps rally back into the game after trailing to the Wolves
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J.O. finished with 22 points & 8 rebounds
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Joey Graham tied his career high with 24 points along with 6 rebounds
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Raps shot 53% from the floor and had 31 bench points vs. the Wolves’ 14
THE BADS
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The Timberwolves went on a 15-2 run in the second with Ryan Gomes nailing a three to get up 42-41
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The Wolves led 48-41 at the half, Randy Foye had a good first half with 17 pts
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Wolves outscored the Raptors 32-18 in the second quarter
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Randy Foye finished with 33 points and 8 rebounds, which was a career high
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All of the Wolves starters were in double figures
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In other bad news, Chris Bosh decided to sit out this year’s all-star game due to injury, he was replaced by Cleveland’s Mo Williams
Raptors play the San Antonio Spurs tonight.
Photo credit: (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
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