Barnes and Raptors follow the script in textbook loss before trade deadline

"For three quarters, the Toronto Raptors were playing fast and loose. They seemed to overcome their inherent weaknesses, driving all the way into the rim, splashing triples, and cruising down the freeway with the top down and the sunglasses up. The Minnesota Timberwolves subsisted on a diet of tough jumpers over the top. Toronto built a lead, slowly but surely, brick by brick. Until the house came tumbling down."

"Darko Rajakovic got creative early. He strayed from his usual lineups and found his way to a group that saw Collin Murray-Boyles as the lone starter with four bench players to end the first quarter. And the group survived. Sandro Mamukelashvili scored as a roller, Murray-Boyles in transition, and the Raptors scrounged their way to a lead. It wasn't entirely necessary, but it allowed the Raptors to try to throw some haymakers to start the second."

"Rajakovic's gamble gave the Raptors a healthy lead, only limited by some outrageous hot shooting from one Bones Hyland. While Hyland cashed some jumpers, the Raptors in general limited the Wolves to a tough diet of jumpers. Murray-Boyles found his way into the game with stout paint defence. Jamal Shead did an excellent job guarding Edwards as Toronto's primary defender. Edwards tried to take him into the post repeatedly, but Shead's strength and low center of gravity repeatedly forced Edwards into fadeaway jumpers or kickouts."

Toronto used unorthodox lineups early, starting Collin Murray-Boyles with four bench players to end the first quarter and generating points from role players. Sandro Mamukelashvili scored on rolls, Murray-Boyles produced in transition, and Immanuel Quickley and Gradey Dick added timely offense. The Raptors built a substantial lead behind aggressive drives, corner threes and strong paint defense. Bones Hyland provided hot shooting for Minnesota, but Toronto generally forced the Wolves into difficult jumpers. Murray-Boyles and Jamal Shead supplied stout interior defense against Edwards, repeatedly pushing Edwards into fadeaways or kickouts. Scottie Barnes functioned as an effective offensive coordinator, connecting teammates.

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