Raptors Top Timberwolves to Extend their Winning Streak

2/11/20

The Toronto Raptors extended their win streak to 15 games with an emphatic 137-126 victory over the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night in Toronto. The two teams were in a tightly contested game entering halftime, however Toronto outscored Minnesota 63-51 in the second half to come away with the victory.

Toronto was led by Pascal Siakam’s 34 point night, but also received strong contributions from Kyle Lowry (27 points and 11 assists), and OG Anunoby (25 points and 12 rebounds).

The Raptors have been rolling no matter who they’ve put on the floor the last month as Siakam, Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol, Norman Powell and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson have all missed time due to injuries.

With their recent strong play, the reigning NBA Champions have risen to second in the Eastern Conference with a record 40-14, that trails only the Milwaukee Bucks. They’ll look to keep things rolling as they will be viewed as one of the favorites to potentially once again represent the East in the NBA Finals.

The Raptors will look to keep their franchise record winning streak alive on Wednesday night on the road against the injury-plagued Brooklyn Nets.

With the loss the Timberwolves have now dropped 15 of their last 16 games, bringing them to 16-36 on the season. Miscues didn’t help them in this game as they committed 23 turnovers, their most this season, which led to 34 points for Toronto.

However, the recent poor play didn’t stop the Timberwolves from making impact moves at the trade deadline as they acquired point guard, D'Angelo Russell, as well as shooting guard, Jacob Evans and power forward, Omari Spellman from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for small forward, Andrew Wiggins, a 2021 protected first-round draft pick and a 2021 second-round pick. Monday marked Russell’s debut with the team, but his 22 points and 5 assists were not enough to will the Timberwolves to a win.

Despite the loss Russell is “Super excited about this group,” he told ESPN. One reason for this excitement is the ability to play with Karl-Anthony Towns, a team up that many believe each player has been wanting for a long time. Towns’ combination of scoring and rebounding ability combined with Russell’s scoring and playmaking ability could make the Timberwolves a threat in the West for years to come.

Towns chipped in 23 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists in the game, but his comments before and after the game were focused mainly around his new teammate. “I'd die for that man, and I know he would do the same for me,” Towns said of Russell to ESPN.

Towns and Russell will look to build some on-court chemistry and get the Timberwolves back in the win column Wednesday night at home against the Charlotte Hornets. Only the Warriors trail the Timberwolves in the Western Conference with a 12-42 record on the season.

Few would have predicted a Raptors deep playoff run following Kawhi Leonard’s departure to the Los Angeles Clippers in Free Agency this off-season, however their recent win streak is a reminder that they are just as dangerous as anyone come the playoffs.