The Timberwolves will have to wait another year before they get another crack at beating the Raptors in Toronto as the losing streak in Canada reaches 20
The Minnesota Timberwolves traveled across the border after a three-day break to take on the Toronto Raptors. While they had been on the right side of injury luck for the last week plus, it was quite the opposite tonight as Scottie Barnes returned from injury as Toronto looked to get back in the win column. On the Minnesota side, Mike Conley missed the game with a toe injury. The Wolves looked to keep their good vibes going, get their win streak up to three, and win in Toronto for the first time since 2004.
Photo by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Wolves started the game with Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaden McDaniels getting in the passing lanes and disrupting the Raptors’ offense as they combined for three steals in their first stint. Despite the fast break opportunities, the Wolves could not convert on many of their attempts as they only shot 31.6% overall in the frame.
The Raptors had the exact opposite experience as while the Wolves struggled at the point of attack, they got a bunch of easy layups en route to shooting 78% in the quarter and scoring 24 points in the paint. Despite their poor shooting, the Wolves stayed afloat with free throws going 13/16 from the line and being in the bonus for over six minutes. The Raptors caught fire at the end of the first and ended the quarter on a 14-5 run to take a 32-27 lead.
The Raptors came back down to earth some in the quarter as they finally started to miss some shots. Unfortunately, the Wolves continued their poor shooting so they were only able to keep pace with the Raptors. The tumultuous period for both teams lead to a close one, 52-51 Raptors heading into halftime. Julius Randle led the way for the Wolves with 14 points and went 7/10 from the free throw line and Jaden McDaniels added 11 points and 5 rebounds to the Wolves total. R.J. Barrett and Chris Boucher off the bench helped the Raptors get their slight advantage heading into the 2nd half.
ON HIS HEAD pic.twitter.com/7BsA9DW7yo
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) November 22, 2024
After being quiet much of the game, Ant got his 4th foul which was what he needed in order to wake up. He hit back-to-back threes to start the 3rd and scored 11 points in the frame. The Wolves got their lead up to seven during the quarter but the Raptors wouldn’t go away quietly. They continued to keep pace with the Wolves throughout the period. Minnesota had the hot start but then went cold as the Raptors continued to keep it close. After a back-and-forth end of the 3rd, DDV hit a three with a few seconds left on the clock to give Minnesota a 79-77 lead.
The 4th quarter was back and forth for much of the first seven minutes before Rudy Gobert got a three-second lane violation after being visibly frustrated that he did not get the ball on a post-up. After that point, the Raptors took the game over and put the Wolves away. Everything unraveled down the stretch and while the Wolves had their chances they could never get over the hump. The streak in Toronto continues as they drop this one 110-105.
gg @Raptors pic.twitter.com/GBCUUaDAo3
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) November 22, 2024
Key Takeaways
Poor Opening and Closing Quarters
The Wolves have not been the best at starting games off on the right foot and tonight was no different. They let the Raptors score 32 points and shoot 78% in the opening quarter. While they only had a five-point lead at the time, it still was way too many points and too much life to give a young team that will take energy wherever they can get it. The final quarter was a similar experience as the Wolves gave up 33 points and could not hang with them down the stretch. It was close for much of the quarter but they could not stop the run that the Raptors mounted late in the game.
Raptors lead 32-27, outshot the Wolves 78% to 32% in the quarter
— Benny Hughes (@Benny__Hughes) November 22, 2024
The Turning Point
To me, the point in the game where the Wolves lost was with 4:56 remaining and the game tied at 95. Julius Randle had the ball at the top of the key and Rudy Gobert sealed Scottie Barnes low in the post. Randle (in my opinion correctly) did not pass Gobert the ball and he proceeded to walk while not getting out of the lane which was inevitably called a three second violation. Immediately after this, Rudy frustration fouls Scottie Barnes and gives him two free throws and the lead back to the Raptors. The game was over at this point. Everyone checked out and it was clear the young and hungry Raptors were ready to take the game over. Unacceptable for a team that has championship aspirations.
This frustrated Rudy Gobert sequence played a big role in the Wolves loss to the Raptors tonight.
– Randle doesn’t throw him the entry pass, and the Wolves take a 3-second call
– Barnes, who is guarding Gobert, celebrates the call
– A frustrated-with-Barnes Gobert hip checks him… pic.twitter.com/BdqAf3NUwm— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) November 22, 2024
Jaden McDaniels Back on Track
Despite all of our negative feelings about tonight’s game, I always like to throw one positive out there as it is much more fun to write about. Jaden McDaniels was awesome for the entire game. He finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He was aggressive and found his shot within the flow of the offense. I also thought that it was his best defensive game of the year as he was the aggressive and physical point-of-attack defender that the Wolves need him to be on that end of the floor.
Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images
Up Next
The Wolves have a couple of days off and will travel to Beantown for a second straight Sunday matinee at 2:30 PM CT against fellow “Starting 5” star Jayson Tatum and the defending champion Boston Celtics. It will be a massive chance to come back after tonight’s disappointing loss and get a crack at a great team.