Toronto reaches Minnesota at 2-0 and third in the East, and the outlets that cover the club have settled on a few themes. Some hold up against the roster, and others need more than two games.
The Murray-Boyles Case
Raptors Rapture's Daniel O'Connor wrote that Collin Murray-Boyles gives Toronto an edge the box score can't capture, and Raptors Republic's Esfandiar Baraheni argued his defense changed the game in Washington. TSN's Josh Lewenberg put numbers on it: Toronto is plus-49 in 36 minutes with him and plus-4 in 60 without him. His own line is modest, 7.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in 18.6 minutes. Raptors Rapture's Chris Lambert supplied the counterpoint, writing that his foul trouble raises concerns about a small-ball five role. Two games support a good start, not a verdict on the center spot. Bittle's foot problem leaves the position thinner, with October 28 as his projected return.
Barrett Carries the Load
Lewenberg wrote for TSN that the Raptors need RJ Barrett and he keeps showing why. The numbers agree: 21.5 points in 30.1 minutes, including 23 at Washington, though he is shooting 12.5 percent from three. The Globe and Mail's Ian Nicholas Quillen had Barnes and Barrett pacing the 112-102 win. The facts do not support any contract storyline. Hoopsrumors' September 29 report called the extension discussions unserious, and nothing newer has surfaced. With payroll at $201.2M against a $200.4M tax line and Barrett at $29.6M, any new deal is a cap question first.
Edwards and Ball Next
The Toronto Star's Doug Smith wrote that the Raptors' defence has started tremendously and that Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball bring a new challenge. Minnesota is also 2-0, with Edwards at 30.0 points and Ball at 16.5. Donte DiVincenzo is out for the Timberwolves with an Achilles injury. Sportsnet carried a video of Darko Rajakovic predicting three All-Defensive players. The brief names none, so treat that as a coach's forecast, not a result. This is the first game against an opponent with this much perimeter scoring.
Who do the Raptors play on October 25?
Toronto visits the Minnesota Timberwolves on NBA TV. Both teams are 2-0.
Is there news on RJ Barrett's contract extension?
Hoopsrumors reported September 29 that the discussions weren't serious, and nothing newer has been reported. Barrett earns $29.6M this season.
