Leonard, Raptors set for matchup with the Timberwolves
Toronto Raptors (57-24, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (36-44, 11th in the Western Conference)
Minneapolis; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Kawhi Leonard leads Toronto into a matchup with Minnesota. He ranks sixth in the league averaging 26.7 points per game.
The Timberwolves are 25-15 on their home court. Minnesota is fifth in the NBA with 11.4 offensive rebounds per game, led by Karl-Anthony Towns averaging 3.4 offensive boards.
The Raptors have gone 25-15 away from home. Toronto is third in the Eastern Conference scoring 114.4 points per game and shooting 47.3 percent. The Raptors won the last meeting between these two squads 112-105 on Oct. 24. Leonard led Toronto to the win with a 35-point performance.
TOP PERFORMERS: Towns is second on the Timberwolves averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers and scoring 24.4 points per game while shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc. Andrew Wiggins has averaged 5.2 rebounds and added 21.4 points per game over the last 10 games for Minnesota.
Leonard has shot 49.5 percent and is averaging 26.7 points for the Raptors. Pascal Siakam has averaged 19.6 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 52.3 percent over the last 10 games for Toronto.
LAST 10 GAMES: Raptors: 7-3, averaging 116.3 points, 44.4 rebounds, 28.7 assists, 8.2 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.6 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.7 points on 43.6 percent shooting.
Timberwolves: 4-6, averaging 114.5 points, 43.8 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 7.9 steals and four blocks per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118 points on 48.1 percent shooting.
Timberwolves Injuries: Robert Covington: out for season (ankle), Jerryd Bayless: day to day (ankle), Jeff Teague: out for season (left foot inflammation), Taj Gibson: day to day (calf), Luol Deng: out (sore left achilles), Derrick Rose: out for season (right elbow soreness).
Raptors Injuries: Patrick McCaw: out (thumb).
-
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
2024 NBA Playoff Schedule: How to watch NBA Finals, TV, streaming, free
2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: How high will Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan go?
-
2024 NBA Championship odds: Celtics favored for Finals; Nuggets closing in
2024 NBA MVP odds, race: Nikola Jokic heavily favored to win third MVP
2024 NBA Power Rankings: Can the Celtics and Thunder stay on top?
-
2024 NBA Playoff odds: First-round odds tracker
2024 NBA Sixth Man of the Year odds: Naz Reid still chasing Malik Monk
Timberwolves take 2-0 lead on Suns behind 25 points and ace defense from Jaden McDaniels
-
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
2024 NBA Playoff Schedule: How to watch NBA Finals, TV, streaming, free
2024 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: How high will Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan go?
-
2024 NBA Championship odds: Celtics favored for Finals; Nuggets closing in
2024 NBA MVP odds, race: Nikola Jokic heavily favored to win third MVP
2024 NBA Power Rankings: Can the Celtics and Thunder stay on top?
-
2024 NBA Playoff odds: First-round odds tracker
2024 NBA Sixth Man of the Year odds: Naz Reid still chasing Malik Monk
Timberwolves take 2-0 lead on Suns behind 25 points and ace defense from Jaden McDaniels