Who's Playing?
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Records: Raptors (14-15), Timberwolves (7-22)
Where to Watch
Date: Friday, Feb. 19
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
TV: TSN 4 / TSN 5 (Canada), Fox Sports North or NBA League Pass (USA)
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game Preview
The Raptors may have had their most impressive wins of the season after dismantling the Bucks in back-to-back games on the road. Beating the Bucks is one thing, Milwaukee has been one of the best teams in the NBA in the regular season over the past couple of years, but doing it shorthanded is another.
Toronto soundly beat the Bucks in front of a national TV audience in the U.S. on Thursday without their leader Kyle Lowry who was out with an ankle injury. Norman Powell stepped up in Lowry's absence pouring in a season-high 29 points while shooting 75.0 percent from the field — another season-high. That was a refreshing sign since Powell's shooting percentage typically takes a hit in the second night of a back-to-back, going from his season average of 47.5 percent to 43.1. Powell has even struggled more from 3-point range in the second night of a back-to-back, shooting just 25.0 percent from deep. Keep an eye on how Norm finds his offence on Friday – will he settle for jumpers or trying to attack the Timberwolves inside?
The Timberwolves have one of the worst defences in the NBA, yet they were able to hold the Raptors in check the last time these two teams met. Opponents have been shooting 47.8 percent from the field against the Wolves, but on Sunday, Toronto managed just 41.8 percent from the field in what some are calling the team's worst loss of the year.
Wolves' rookie Anthony Edwards is someone to keep an eye on. The No.1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft is starting to figure it out and display some of the promise many thought he had prior to the draft. Over the last seven games, Edwards is averaging 18.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists. His efficiency could use a bump, but he is still a rookie trying to find his way in the pros. NBA.com's Kyle Irving recently ranked Edwards third in his bi-weekly rookie ladder. Edwards will certainly be a key piece to Minnesota's build for the future.
Injury Report
Raptors
Jalen Harris (G League assignment) - Out
Kyle Lowry (Ankle) - Questionable
Patrick McCaw (Left knee rehabilitation) - Out
Wolves
Jarrett Culver (Left Ankle Sprain) — Out
D'Angelo Russell (Left Knee Surgery) — Out.
Raptors vs. Timberwolves: Betting odds, spread, over/under
Spread: Raptors -2.5 (-110), Timberwolves +2.5 (-110)
Raptors Money line: -145
Timberwolves Money line: +125
Over/under: 226.0 (-110)
*Odds courtesy of William Hill Sports Book
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