Fan Duel Toronto Raptors

,

Gameday: Raptors @ Wolves, February 16

Toronto heads to Minnahsohda to close out the first half of their marathon and get some much-needed rest (it shows when I'm highlighting rest more than the outcome of this game).

Sorry, friends.

Sometimes, your calendar doesn’t send you enough invites, ya know what I mean?

Better late than never – is what the refs seem to say when they call a foul on Pascal Siakam 3 seconds after he’s barely nudged a player and the ball doesn’t go in the hoop.

Toronto looks like it’s hit a bit of a wall. Tomorrow, I’ll be writing on how OG looks like he needs a 48-hour induced coma. Thank goodness, after this, they get a full week of rest. Even though Freddy’s probably going to full-court press in the All-Star game to take after his predecessor who took 2(?) charges in the same event.

Before that happens, though, Toronto’s gotta take on the Minnesota Timberpups.

The Skinny

Minnesota’s thinking highly of itself these days. As it should. It’s been a rare occasion this Millennia.

For one, they finally have a CORE.

Karl Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards, all under the age of 26, are a, prospectively, fearsome trio.

KAT is one of the best shooting bigs ever. For his career, he shoots 40% from 3 on 4 attempts a game. Over the last 3 years, the percentage has hovered around the same while shooting 6/game. He’s a nightmare for opposing bigs. Drop, he shoots. Step up, he zips by.

Anthony Edwards is utterly electric. He jumps out of the gym, slices defences like a triple Henckel, and is starting to establish a consistent jumper. He’s still gonna give you the odd 2/12. And, sometimes, you think, he’s never going to be the efficient scorer that Minny needs. Then other times, you think, MJ?

Russell is who puts this all together. He dictates pace and distributes. He’s no longer needed to score like he once thought he did and that’s helped him settle in as point. He’s also started playing defence (credit to former Toronto Raptors’ assistant Chris Finch for getting all these dudes to buy-in), something few could say thus far into his career.

For two, this team’s on a bit of a tear. They’re 10-5 in their last 15 and have had the best offensive rating in the NBA during that stretch. That’s vaulted them up to 7th in the West. They are a tempting pick in any matchup these days so a gander towards the odds aisle could be in order, but if that’s not for you, there’s plenty of game reviews to help you decide how to go about enjoying this one.

For three, Minnesota stood pat during the trade deadline. Bad franchises always overcompensate for a “winning” season and short shrift their future for a “win now” mentality. Minny’s finally the wiser. They have several gritty, young roleplayers (+ Pat Bev) surrounding their core and have established an identity. There’s no reason to disrupt that mojo.

Finally, the West is at its weakest in years. The Clips and Nuggets are short-handed. Dallas is in a bit of a “retool”. The Spurs and Blazers have resigned, the Lakers are trying to extinguish a dumpster fire, and something stinky is going on in Utah. The Kings “upgraded”, but have yet to demonstrate if it’s enough (Saboner did beat Minny in his first game as a Kang).

Now’s the time for the Timberwolves to come out of the woods and make that “young team surprise you in the playoffs” push. It will bode well for them in the near future, in the same way, these Toronto Raptors will gain from post-season experience.

It sharpens claws.

Game Info

Tipoff: 8:00pm EST | TV: TSN4, TSN5, RDS, BSN, TSN | Radio: SN 590

Raptors Lineup

Fred VanVleet is questionable (knee).

PG: Dalano Banton, Malachi Flynn

SG: Gary Trent Jr., Svi Mykhailiuk, David Johnson

SF: OG Anunoby, Justin Champagnie, Isaac Bonga

PF: Scottie Barnes, Chris Boucher, Thaddeus Young

C: Pascal Siakam, Precious Achiuwa, Khem Birch

Wolves Lineup

Anthony Edwards (sprained ankle) is day-to-day. McKinley Wright IV (elbow) is questionable.

PG: D’Angelo Russell, Patrick Beverley, Jordan McLaughlin

SG:  Jaylen Nowell, Malik Beasley, Josh Okogie

SF: Jaden McDaniels, Jake Layman, Leandro Bolmaro

PF: Jarred Vanderbilt, Taurean Prince, Nathan Knight

C: Karl Anthony-Towns, Naz Reid

The Line

Spread: Raptors -1.5

Moneyline: Raptors -118

Over/Under: 227.5

Adon’s Thoughts: Final games before the All-Star break can be tricky. Guys’ eyes might be on the sands of Cabo San Lucas or the Maya Riviera or wherever they gallivant to. If no Freddy, all the more concerning. I hate betting against this Toronto team, though, if they can overwhelm KAT and force him to give up the ball, Precious is a nice matchup, I like our chances.

Picks: Raptors/Raptors/Under

Bet wisely, friends.