The Toronto Raptors dropped their second consecutive game on Valentine’s Day, surrendering a winnable game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, 116-112. Coach Nick Nurse did have an effective defensive game plan to slow Karl-Anthony Towns, but the Timberwolves’ hot perimeter shooting opened things up for Towns anyway. Ultimately, he fouled out with 20 points and 11 rebounds — and, yes, the win over Toronto.
The Timberwolves’ balanced attack had Malik Beasley (20 points) and Ricky Rubio (18 points) combining for ten three-pointers. Meanwhile, their length and athleticism wreaked havoc in the third quarter, shutting down the Raptors’ offense. What’s more, the Wolves went on a couple of big runs to give themselves enough of a buffer to hold off the Raptors’ typical late rally.