Rookie Jonny Flynn had 16 points, five assists and three rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Toronto Raptors 98-90, as NBA pre-season action concluded Friday night.
The game was played in Sioux Falls, SD.
Ryan Hollins had 14 points and five rebounds off the bench for the Timberwolves (3-5).
Chris Bosh put in a strong night with 27 points and 14 rebounds in the Raptors (2-6) losing effort.
Aleksandar Pavlovic put the game out of reach shortly into the fourth quarter with a three-pointer that made the game 80-68. Minnesota then held off the Raptors for the rest of the contest, despite a valiant effort in the attempted comeback.
Gomes gave the Timberwolves their first lead of the evening early in the third quarter with two free throws. Minnesota then began to pull away, going up 55-48 before Toronto stormed back to tie the game 57-57 with a Jose Calderon jump shot.
Minnesota’s Wayne Ellington nailed two straight jump shots, but Jarrett Jack hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to end the third with the Timberwolves up 72-64.
Raps start strong
The Raptors got off to a great start, leading 20-10 halfway through the first quarter, with Bosh and Andrea Bargnani adding six points each.
Minnesota did their best to chip away at Toronto’s lead, with both teams exchanging successful free throws and the period ended with the Timberwolves narrowing the score to 28-25. Gomes had seven points in the first.
Free throws continued to drop early in the second quarter with Hedo Turkoglu and Bosh each draining a couple.
Minnesota fought back briefly, before the Raptors pulled away again, highlighted by a DeMar DeRozan driving layup to go ahead 38-30.
The two teams then exchanged a flurry of baskets, which helped the Timberwolves make up some ground thanks to a Corey Brewer three-pointer late in the period. The half ended with the Raptors up by only two points 46-44.
Toronto will open the season Wednesday, at home, versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Timberwolves host the New Jersey Nets on the same night.
Notes: Antoine Wright made his Raptors debut Friday, after missing the first seven pre-season contests with a sore right knee. He finished with eight points … He’s expected to challenge rookie DeRozan for the starting shooting guard position, the only position the Raptors don’t have figured out yet … Forward Amir Johnson returned to his old stomping grounds. He played in Sioux Falls a few years ago as part of the NBA’s developmental league … Minnesota was without two of their best players, as Kevin Love (broken left hand) and Al Jefferson (flu) missed the game. Both are key forwards for the Timberwolves.
Can somebody tell me how the Raptors lose to the Timberwolves in the final pre-season game. The two best players for Minni isnt even playing and they played against one of the worst team in the league. Bosh and Calderon showed up, Hedo and Bargnia werent able to proform. Triano, why does your team lose so much more than Sam Mitchell Raptors yet you receive all the praises.
Sonny Weems should be the starting 2 guard, because he is the best all around 2 guard on the Raptors at this time thats why.
I ve been in Toronto for 30 years How long has Colangelo been here. I may not make 5 million year a but I know basketball because I love the game.