It was a game where both head coaches had a first hand look at the teams they formerly coached. Current Timberwolves head coach, Sam Mitchell, was the Raptors head coach from 2004 2008 (and earned NBA Coach of the Year honours in 2006-07), while Raptors head coach Dwane Casey was the Timberwolves head coach from 2005-2007.
Among NBA and sports fans alike. most would consider this match-up against the Minnesota Timberwolves for the Toronto Raptors as a ‘trap game’. Meaning that the opponent they’re facing may not have many wins on the season, but if you take them lightly, you’ll end up on the losing end yourself.
In the end, that’s exactly what happened for the Raptors. Full credit to the Timberwolves because they earned this win there is no doubt about it.
The Raptors were on fire early, scored 68 first half points (including 36 in the first quarter), and led the Timberwolves by 13 at the half; 68-55. The T-Wolves flipped the script, and outscored the Raptors in the second half – scoring 62 points of their own, compared to 44 by the Raptors.
The Raptors were up by as many as 18 points in the 2nd quarter, and even as much as 13 in the third quarter, but the Timberwolves kept attacking and erased both of those deficits to take the lead and never look back, winning 117-112.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio, Gorgui Dieng, and Zach LaVine exemplified why the Timberwolves future is bright, even if their current record may not reflect success. The Timber Pups moniker may be as fitting as ever, due to the team’s average age, but this team has talent and tenacity! Both Towns & Wiggins will be participants in the NBA’s BBVA Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night in Toronto, facing each other in the USA vs. World format.
Towns earned his ninth straight double-double, posting a monster line with 35 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocked shots! He went 12 of 19 from the field, and 11-13 from the free throw line.
Gorgui Dieng posted a double-double as well, with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He also had 6 assists, two steals, and a block. Zach LaVine wasn’t shooting the ball well in the game (making only 4 of 13 shots from the field), but he still managed 13 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds on the night.
Ricky Rubio was making plays everywhere in this game, almost reaching a triple-double, scoring 19 points, while grabbing eight rebounds to go along with nine assists.
Andrew Wiggins, last season’s NBA Rookie Of The Year, and Canadian star from Vaughn, Ontario, poured in 26 points of his own (8 of 18 from the field, and 10 of 13 from the free throw line). He also added three rebounds, two steals, and a blocked shot.
The Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan was on fire, and continues to have a major impact in games. He finished the night with 35 points (11 of 19 from the field, and 10 of 13 from the free throw line), to go along with 3 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Kyle Lowry had an off night shooting the basketball, making only 4 of 15 shots, but managed to contribute 14 points, while collecting four rebounds, and dishing out seven assists.
With the loss, the Toronto Raptors now have a 35-17 record heading into the NBA All-Star Break. All-Star starter, Kyle Lowry will be involved in the NBA 3-point Contest on All-Star Saturday night, and both Lowry and DeMar DeRozan participating in the 65th NBA All-Star Game for the East Team on Sunday night. The Raptors next regular season game is Friday February 19th in Chicago, to face the Bulls, who have been reeling as of late, losing their last four games.
Stay tuned here at HoopHeadsNorth.com and on Social media, as I’ll be in Toronto for NBA All-Star Weekend! I’m looking forward to bringing lots of fun content from throughout the weekend. Thanks for reading, supporting, and following along!
Postgame Reactions:
Dwane Casey
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YAGqRrhmX4]Kyle Lowry
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kloaN8GqTag]DeMar DeRozan
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSoj26zeOGg]Cory Joseph
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