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Game Preview #30: Raptors at Wolves

It’s a Jurassic-sized rematch tonight at Target Center.

Minnesota Timberwolves v Toronto Raptors Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Game Info

Who: Toronto Raptors (14-15) at Minnesota Timberwolves (7-22)
When: 8:00pm CST
TV: Fox Sports North (streaming on the Fox Sports Go app)
Radio: 830 WCCO AM Radio


What To Watch For

First and foremost — just a heads up that tonight’s game is actually an hour later than normal (8:00pm CST tip rather than 7:00pm CST). Adjust your DVR’s accordingly.

As for basketball, the Timberwolves welcome the team from Tampa Bay to Target Center tonight for a Jurassic-sized rematch of last Sunday’s thrilling 116-112 victory. Since securing their best win of the season, Minnesota has spent the majority of their work week looking like a competent, professional franchise (which is a massive upgrade from whatever we watched back in January); however, the end result has continued to be more and more L’s.

The highlight of the week (and arguably the entire season) has been the ongoing growth and development of former no. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards, who continues to display confidence and maturity both on-the-court as well as off it.

If you’re like me and are a sucker for unlimited ANT kahntent, I’ve shamelessly plugged some of the great Edwards-related stuff we’ve done this week at Canis to keep you busy until tonight’s later than usual tip-off:

As for tonight’s opponent, they are currently on the second night of a road back-to-back after thoroughly dominating the Bucks last night in Milwaukee. Although they’ve spent the entire season living out of various hotels, the Raptors are beginning to pick up a little steam, so despite the built-in excuse of two games in 24 hours, I’d expect Toronto Tampa Bay to bring it on both ends tonight as they look to avenge last Sunday’s loss.

Injury Reports

Pretty straight forward injury report for the Timberwolves right now. Russell is expected to be out approximately 4-6 weeks after a minor procedure on his left knee, and Jarrett Culver was recently approved to start doing on-court activities again and *should* return to the court sometime next week (unless of course he experiences cramping).

According to the tweet above, Kyle Lowry has actually been upgraded from DOUBTFUL to QUESTIONABLE, while Canis-favorite OG Anunoby will indeed be back in the lineup (albeit on a minutes restriction).

Tampa Bay has actually played really well without Lowry this season, so his potential absence does not give Minnesota any excuses (not that they necessarily need them anyway). Either way, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, there remains a strong possibility that everyone watching tonight will be absolved of watching Kyle Lowry herk, jerk, and twerk his way to a dozen or more undeserved free throw attempts.

Regardless of where you are tuning in for tonight’s game, I hope you all can continue to stay warm, be safe, and have a great weekend. Special shoutout to any of you currently dealing with prolonged power outages (including my relatives down in Texas) — I hope things improve greatly for you over the weekend!

Go Wolves.