Quick Reaction: Timberwolves 102, Raptors 125

Never in doubt.

Timberwolves

102

Final
Box Score

125

Raptors

A+

P. Siakam40 MIN, 12 PTS, 10 REB, 13 AST, 1 STL, 5-15 FG, 0-2 3FG, 2-2 FT, 1 BLK, 6 TO, +27 +/-

It was clear from the outset of this game that Minnesota wanted to stop him from scoring a lot. They overloaded early, played fantastic defense, and Siakam’s tired legs failed his jumpshot a bit. He won the war of attrition, though. The Wolves defense didn’t have the discipline to rotate against his playmaking over and over, and eventually he crushed them with the weight of his manipulation. A triple-double, a tremendous defensive game, and an All-NBA performance. Huge.

A+

O. Anunoby32 MIN, 22 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 9-13 FG, 4-4 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, +29 +/-

Shot-maker. The ball funneled to him, and it was like he was bowling with the bumper guards on. His shooting revived the dead offense, and his defense was terrific. Had some freestyle offensive possessions, made good reads on the move. Well done.

B-

S. Barnes25 MIN, 17 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 7-9 FG, 0-0 3FG, 3-4 FT, 1 BLK, 3 TO, +6 +/-

A tale of two halves. His first half was really disappointing – to a point where he didn’t start the second half – but with the game broken open late on, his length, talent, and game flourished in the open floor. In a ROY battle that’s down to the wire, he salvaged this game for a nice statline. Hell yeah, Scottie. Come back better next game.

A-

F. VanVleet32 MIN, 12 PTS, 3 REB, 8 AST, 5 STL, 5-15 FG, 2-7 3FG, 0-1 FT, 1 BLK, 1 TO, +20 +/-

Keep it moving. Limit mistakes. Change EVERYTHING on defense. 5 steals, and that doesn’t remotely spell out how impactful he was on that end. His point of attack defense funneled the Wolves to tough places, his rotations and dig downs made every foray into the paint hell. He’s missing his burst and missing his jumpers, but gumption is forever.

A+

G. Trent Jr.27 MIN, 29 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 9-13 FG, 6-8 3FG, 5-5 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +10 +/-

Similar to OG, he hit the shots the team needed him too. When the Raptors were gasping for air, his shooting was the ventilator. Simplified role, simplified route to success, and he got there. Keep shooting like this, man.

T. Young17 MIN, 10 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 4-6 FG, 2-3 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +17 +/-

He was terrific. He’s starting to gel with the defense, starting to excel. Some of his play finishing on the other end has caught up as well. He’s found the form, ladies and gentlemen.

C+

C. Boucher22 MIN, 6 PTS, 8 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 2-11 FG, 1-3 3FG, 1-1 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, +4 +/-

Tough game. The Wolves were ganging up on the paint and he got blocked about 5 times. But, the Raptors needed to provide that pressure. His defense was still strong, he stuck to his role, and he gave positive minutes.

P. Achiuwa22 MIN, 13 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 5-9 FG, 3-7 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, +20 +/-

Precious AShiuwta. The defense was tremendous, the shot from downtown is slick as hell, and he’s a major, major contributor. He’s just good. Flat out.

Inc

Y. Watanabe4 MIN, 0 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-2 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -4 +/-

Business decisions? NEVA HEARD OF EM.

Inc

K. Birch5 MIN, 0 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-2 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -2 +/-

Got a blow in.

Inc

D. Banton4 MIN, 4 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 2-2 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -4 +/-

TWO MAKES.

Inc

S. Mykhailiuk4 MIN, 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -4 +/-

Heyyyy, burned calories.

Inc

A. Brooks4 MIN, 0 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -4 +/-

Hello, Armoni.

Nick Nurse

The decision to start Precious for the second half instead of Scottie was pretty clever. His team stuck to the gameplan, stayed disciplined, and won. Well done.