Raptors, Wolves each searching for consistency amidst contention
The Minnesota Timberwolves will be searching for consistency when they complete a three-game road trip Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors.
The Timberwolves' inconsistency was recently exposed in a two-game set against the Memphis Grizzlies.
After defeating the Grizzlies 131-114 on Saturday, the Timberwolves dropped the rematch 137-128 on Monday.
The loss ended a four-game winning streak that followed a five-game losing streak.
The Raptors, meanwhile, opened a five-game homestand with a 107-100 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday. They had lost their two previous games after winning four straight.
This will be the first meeting of the season between Minnesota and Toronto. The teams split two games last season.
In the last game vs. Memphis, Anthony Edwards scored 39 points for the Timberwolves but their defensive intensity was lacking as the Grizzlies shot 50% (44 for 88) from the field.
"Defense wasn't there tonight like we needed it to be," Minnesota coach Chris Finch said.
The Grizzlies shot 46.3% from 3-point range (19 of 41) and had a 45-40 advantage in rebounds.
Finch was not impressed with the effort.
"It's on them," he said. "They've got to come and put the work in. It can't be a sometimes thing."
Jaden McDaniels had his third straight 20-point game for Minnesota with 29 points on 11-for-14 shooting.
"He got a lot of great offense, but we didn't get a lot of great defense from him or anyone else," Finch said. "Offense, I'm not worried about. It comes from wherever it comes from."
Julius Randle (thumb) and Edwards (back spasms) were listed as questionable before the game. Finch said that Randle was "banged up," but not enough to miss the game. He finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
Both are again listed as questionable for Wednesday's game, although Edwards is now dealing with left elbow soreness.
The Raptors survived a sloppy game on Sunday to reach 30 wins, matching their total for last season.
Utah committed 24 turnovers leading to 26 Toronto points. The Raptors made 19 turnovers leading to 15 points.
During the game, it was announced that Scottie Barnes was going to the All-Star Game as a reserve. He was mobbed by his teammates during a timeout in the first quarter.
Brandon Ingram, however, did not make the team despite a strong season in which he is averaging a team-high 21.9 points per game.
"There are things that Brandon does at an elite level and there are things that Scottie is doing at elite level, but they're so different," said Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic, who will coach the World team in the All-Star Game. "You know, Scottie is amazing in open court and transition. Now, (Ingram) is taking advantage of that. He's doing a better job in open court as well. (Ingram) is an elite scorer in half court, in (isolations) and post-ups. I think they have a lot of respect for each other and what they bring to the team at the end of the day. Winning basketball games, that's what they do. They help the team win."
Barnes had 14 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots on Sunday.
He limped off the court late in the fourth quarter but returned and is not listed on the injury report. He felt Ingram should also be an All-Star.
"I was disappointed Brandon didn't make it," Barnes said. "He has done so much for us this year. Look at the difference from last year to this year. He has been instrumental to our success."
Minnesota gained some salary cap room Tuesday when it dealt veteran point guard Mike Conley to the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team trade that included the Detroit Pistons.