It was a tricky capturing night time, Anthony Edwards was struggling, however the Minnesota Timberwolves nonetheless had an awesome alternative to go away Scotiabank Area within the Nice White North with a win in opposition to the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night time.
Till a malfunction within the closing 5 minutes derailed the Wolves to a 110-105 loss.
It was their twentieth consecutive defeat in Canada.
Tied 95-95 with about 5 minutes remaining, Rudy Gobert was broad open within the paint on a submit, however Julius Randle, who had the ball on the prime of the important thing, was reluctant to throw the go. Gobert, wanting annoyed, was gradual to get out of the paint and was cautioned for a three-second infraction. A annoyed Gobert fouled Scottie Barnes, who celebrated the decision, on the following defensive possession, and Barnes made two free throws to present the Raptors the lead.
Rudy Gobert was upset. Julius Randle did not give him the ball and bought a lazy 3 second name and Ant is pissed. pic.twitter.com/21nlIAjEmx
– CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) November 22, 2024
Just a few possessions later, Randle tried to hit Gobert within the paint on a drive, however the ball slipped via Gobert’s arms for a turnover. Barnes made a leap on the different finish. On the Wolves’ subsequent possession, Donte DiVincenzo had the ball stolen by RJ Barrett, Barrett pushed him up the courtroom to Barnes, who dunk it in transition to present the Raptors a six-point lead ( 4-12).
Just a few possessions later, Jaden McDaniels missed a dunk and Barrett had a dunk on the opposite finish.
The Timberwolves (8-7) referred to as a timeout, trailing 105-96 with simply 2 minutes, 33 seconds left.
Any effort Minnesota made afterward was too little, too late.
The Wolves had been with out Mike Conley, who was excluded earlier than the match with a sprained toe. However nonetheless, there was alternative after alternative for Minnesota to drag out a victory. The Wolves led by as many as seven factors within the third quarter, and though that benefit was decreased, they nonetheless took a 79-77 lead into the ultimate quarter of play.
The Wolves shot themselves within the foot with 17 turnovers, which translated to 23 factors for the Raptors.
Minnesota began the sport chilly, capturing simply 32% from the sphere and 25% from 3-point vary within the first quarter, however made up for that by going 13 of 16 from the free throw line within the first quarter to solely path solely 32. -27 earlier than the second.
The Wolves improved these numbers to 41% from the sphere and 34% from 3 for the sport.
Regardless of choosing up his fourth foul early within the third quarter, Edwards scored 11 factors within the body and completed with a team-high 26 factors. Randle had 23 factors and 9 rebounds, and McDaniels had 22 factors and 7 rebounds.
Barrett led the Raptors with a game-high 31 factors.
Including harm to insult, the Wolves noticed two gamers go down throughout Thursday’s sport. Rookie level guard Rob Dillingham exited late within the third quarter and was later excluded because of a sprained proper ankle. Naz Reid appeared to twist his knee within the closing seconds and was subbed off with 11.1 seconds remaining, though he gave the impression to be strolling OK on the sideline.
Total, it was a disappointing night time for the Wolves after a litany of errors late within the sport resulted in a disheartening defeat. It is clear they nonetheless have numerous work to do earlier than heading to the Boston Celtics on Sunday for a 2:30 p.m. tip-off.
