 | Minnesota | 105 | Final Box Score | 112 | Toronto |  |
 A | P. Siakam20 MIN, 9 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 4-6 FG, 1-1 3FG, 0-1 FT, 2 BLK, 0 TO, 7 +/- Showed his defensive versatility again, had some nice assists, and even hit a three. Nice game from Pascal, although I wouldn’t mind seeing him play with the bench until they’re healthy. | |
 A+ | K. Leonard35 MIN, 35 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL, 15-23 FG, 2-4 3FG, 3-4 FT, 2 BLK, 3 TO, 2 +/- If he still isn’t completely healthy, the rest of the league should be very scared. Kawhi got everything he wanted tonight, scored with ease anywhere on the court, and was a defensive monster, before taking over late in the fourth to seal the game. What a game. | |
 A | S. Ibaka28 MIN, 15 PTS, 7 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 7-10 FG, 0-1 3FG, 1-2 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 3 +/- Serge has really found his calling as a center this season. Continues to give great performances, even if there were a few small issues late in the game with decision making. Had another great assist passing out of the post. | |
 A+ | K. Lowry35 MIN, 13 PTS, 4 REB, 10 AST, 3 STL, 4-9 FG, 1-4 3FG, 4-4 FT, 0 BLK, 6 TO, 13 +/- It almost looks too easy for Kyle running the offense right now. He’s slicing up defenses with his passing, with another 10 assists tonight, many of them impressive. Some of the turnovers were silly, but he’s had such a great start to the season overall. | |
 A | D. Green31 MIN, 6 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 2-8 FG, 2-5 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 17 +/- How the Raptors got Green in the Kawhi trade will never totally make sense to me. Even on a night like this one, where his shot isn’t totally there, he’s just so valuable for his defense and his floor spacing. | |
 A | O. Anunoby28 MIN, 6 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 2-7 FG, 2-6 3FG, 0-0 FT, 2 BLK, 0 TO, 0 +/- OG’s shot looks so much better this year, and he had another impressive defensive game here. The bench is struggling at times, but that’s not really on him. | |
 A | J. Valanciunas20 MIN, 16 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 7-11 FG, 2-3 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 4 +/- Scoring against bench bigs is just too easy for Jonas. A pair of threes, efficient scoring again, some nice passing, and even some rim protection tonight. He held the bench together in the third quarter when the Timberwolves made it close for a short stretch. | |
 B+ | N. Powell13 MIN, 10 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 4-8 FG, 1-4 3FG, 1-1 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 7 +/- Norm had a rough first half here before coming to life in the second half and hitting some big shots. It’s still an adventure, but at least the good Norm showed up enough in this one. | |
 C | C. Miles12 MIN, 0 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-3 FG, 0-2 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, -6 +/- The shot will show up at some point. He’s just too good of a shooter for it not to. Until then though, it’s a little bit rough for CJ, although he did have a great block in this one. | |
 C | L. Brown12 MIN, 2 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1-4 FG, 0-2 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 1 +/- Lorenzo was getting minutes because Delon wasn’t healthy and Fred was out, and he tried his best, but the struggles are clear. It’s hard for him to be an impact player at the NBA level. | |
 B | D. Wright5 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, -13 +/- Great to see him out there, and that’s about all you can say for Delon in this game. Clearly not healthy yet, but working his way back, and he’ll get there. | |
 B | Nick Nurse There are rotational things that you could be concerned about, and the end of game offense was a lot of isolation as well, but with Kawhi it matters less because he just can’t completely be stopped in isolation. Still hasn’t had his healthy roster though, and he’s still building chemistry, so hopefully those small issues course correct as the season goes. | |
Things We Saw
- The moments that this Raptors team has where they’re on their game are incredible. The swarming defense and easy offense is truly special, and shows just how great this team could be if they can figure out the bench issues.
- Minnesota clearly is going through some things. Towns looked mentally defeated tonight, and despite them keeping the game close for the most part, they just looked like a team that didn’t want to be there.
- 5-0! The Raptors get Dallas in town on Friday before heading out on a stretch where they play 5 of 6 on the road, with a few tough matchups mixed in, but they’re quickly establishing themselves as an elite team to be reckoned with.
