Toronto moved up to third in the conference standings this morning and is still unbeaten at 2-0. Today it visits a Minnesota team with the same record.
Unbeaten Meets Unbeaten
The Raptors beat Chicago 135-92, then won 112-102 at Washington. Today they play at Minnesota, which is also 2-0. Toronto has had one day of rest and is playing the second game of a road stretch. Minnesota went 49-33 last season and Toronto went 46-36. The Timberwolves will be without Donte DiVincenzo, who is out with an Achilles injury. Toronto returns home to face Orlando on Oct. 28.
The Number That Matters
Josh Lewenberg of TSN pointed out that through two games Toronto is plus-49 in 36 minutes with Murray-Boyles on the court and plus-4 in 60 minutes without him. No other Raptor is better than plus-39. The Toronto Star's Doug Smith wrote that Edwards and Ball bring a new challenge to the league's fifth-ranked defense of last season. Edwards averaged 28.8 points in 61 games last season, and Ball averaged 20.1 points.
Minutes Are Moving
Ja'Kobe Walter has played 33.7 minutes a night over his last five games, against a season average of 21.5. With a teammate out, Jamal Shead has added 11 minutes a night and RJ Barrett 10 over the last three games. Nate Bittle remains out, with an estimated return of Oct. 28. Kawhi Leonard scored only 9 against the Bulls. The open question is whether Toronto can keep guarding at this level once the minutes spread back out.
When do the Raptors play the Timberwolves?
Toronto plays at Minnesota today, Oct. 25, and the game is on NBA TV. Both teams enter 2-0.
Who is injured for Minnesota against Toronto?
Donte DiVincenzo is out with an Achilles injury. He played all 82 games last season, averaging 12.2 points.
