The Toronto Raptors provided a sound win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on the second night of a back-to-back. How did everyone grade in the game?
After the Toronto Raptors defeated the Washington Wizards in emphatic fashion on Friday night, they came into the second night of their back-to-back safe in the knowledge that, for the first time in a long time, they would be able to field a fully healthy lineup.
Fred VanVleet’s five-game absence was over and the Raptors would take on the Minnesota Timberwolves, looking to build on a two-game winning streak. The T’Wolves welcomed back Karl-Anthony Towns only one game before, but his presence in this game was rather passive.
From then on though, led by the backcourt surge from VanVleet, Kyle Lowry, and Norman Powell, the Raptors dialed it up and went on to win the next three quarters. Credit to the Wolves, though. They didn’t lie down easy and the Raptors couldn’t shake them off until the fourth quarter when a VanVleet and bench lineup did the business.
Nick Nurse was able to effectively rest the starting unit and keep VanVleet on a minutes restriction, all while picking up a win on the road against a semi-competent team.
Even with Pascal Siakam coming away with only 14 points, he still looked impressive as he eases his way back to full health. The running theme for Nick Nurse is that even despite all the injuries, the Raptors still have a litany of players who can step up.
How did they grade, though?