Photo Credit: AP Photo/Mike Carlson
After almost two weeks on the road, the Toronto Raptors lost their first game back home in Tampa Bay 116-112 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Despite finishing the third quarter down by 12 points, Toronto was able to keep the game within two scores in the last four minutes of regulation. Pascal Siakam had the chance to tie the game at 114-114 with 7.1 seconds remaining but missed on a driving layup.
Minnesota cemented the win when Kyle Lowry was assessed a personal foul with 3.7 seconds on the clock, sending Jordan McLaughlin to the free throw line. McLaughlin drained both shots and the Raptors did not have time to attempt to erase a four point deficit.
Lowry led Toronto with 24 points while Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell both scored 22. The Raptors had an unimpressive three-point %, scoring just 10/33 from beyond the arc while the Timberwolves scored a much better 16/39. Minnesota also had a 10.6% advantage in field goal %.
Karl-Anthony Towns tied Malik Beasley as the top Timberwolves point-scorer with 20 tonight after playing in just his third game since missing 13 straight due to a positive COVID-19 test in mid-January.
The Raptors had a slow start to the game against the league’s last-ranked team heading into the night despite finishing the first half leading 58-54. The third quarter saw a lot of back-and-forth action, with the Timberwolves regaining a strong lead of 91-79 after 10 unanswered points late in the frame. Minnesota led Toronto 91-83 heading into the fourth.
OG Anunoby (calf), Yuta Watanabe (ankle) and Patrick McCaw (knee) were all ruled out for Toronto prior to the game. Watanabe was listed as doubtful with day-to-day injury status on Saturday but was upgraded to being ruled out just hours before the 7 p.m. game.
D’Angelo Russell (quad) and Jarrett Culver (ankle) were both out for the Timberwolves.
The Raptors will travel to Milwaukee for their first of a two-game series against the Bucks. Tip-off is set for Tuesday at 8:00PM, EST.
