From the AP recap:
Still buzzing from a 111-100 home win over Utah the night before,
Minnesota looked good early, taking a 10-point lead midway through the
first quarter. Six minutes later, the lead was all but gone and the
Timberwolves were headed for another dispiriting defeat.
Minnesota looked good early, taking a 10-point lead midway through the
first quarter. Six minutes later, the lead was all but gone and the
Timberwolves were headed for another dispiriting defeat.
Wittman scolded his team for failing to match the effort it showed against Utah.
Also from recap:
Toronto hasn’t lost to Minnesota since a 108-97 defeat on Jan. 21, 2004.
Wolves record: 12-44
Kinnon Yee/HoopsAddict recap
The Wolves struggled with turnovers — 20 that led to
30 points for the Raptors — and played especially poorly on defense
when the outcome of the game was still in doubt in the third quarter.
Toronto shot 15 for 22 from the floor in the third.
30 points for the Raptors — and played especially poorly on defense
when the outcome of the game was still in doubt in the third quarter.
Toronto shot 15 for 22 from the floor in the third.
Wittman’s club did plenty of things well in a
111-100 win over the Jazz at home Tuesday, including matching Utah’s
physical intensity. But that didn’t carry.
111-100 win over the Jazz at home Tuesday, including matching Utah’s
physical intensity. But that didn’t carry.
Minnesota’s 14 first-half turnovers were a big
problem. The Raptors converted them into 18 points, which helped them
take a 51-43 lead at the break despite being outshot.
problem. The Raptors converted them into 18 points, which helped them
take a 51-43 lead at the break despite being outshot.
The Wolves, who just played 10 of 11 games at home, now are 2-24 away
from Target Center and 1-12 on the second night of back-to-back games.
from Target Center and 1-12 on the second night of back-to-back games.
"It’s just being consistent, especially in back-to-back situations,"
Wolves forward Al Jefferson said. "That’s what makes a great team, a
great playoff team. You have to be consistent, no matter how tired and
sore you might be some nights."
Wolves forward Al Jefferson said. "That’s what makes a great team, a
great playoff team. You have to be consistent, no matter how tired and
sore you might be some nights."
New Wolves swingman Kirk Snyder was ejected tonight in just his second game with the team during the fourth quarter of a 107-85 loss at Toronto. It also marked the first ejection by a Wolves player this season. Snyder said he wasn’t aware of the NBA rule that a player must automatically be assessed a technical foul for throwing the ball against the stanchion. That’s what caused him to get tossed in the fourth quarter.
Despite having one of the worst records in the NBA this season the Timberwolves locker room was a great environment. Veteran guard Greg Buckner was mentoring young players like Rashad McCants, Corey Brewer and Ryan Gomes while Michael Doleac and Theo Ratliff were doing the strong silent thing.
Before the game Doleac was working on this three-point shot and Gomes and Mark Madsen were giving their teammate a hard time and told him to stick to shooting in the paint.