Weeks of getting creative and relying on unusual playing combinations during an injury crisis looked well behind the Raptors as they pulled off a second win in as many nights, beating the Timberwolves 122-112 in Minnesota on Saturday.
Fred VanVleet returned to Toronto’s starting lineup after missing five games because of a hamstring injury. He joined Kyle Lowry, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol on the floor for tipoff, the first time Toronto’s preferred five have played together since Dec. 8.
Toronto’s backcourt made the difference on the night, with VanVleet and Lowry combining for 57 points, including 12 made threes.