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Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 things to watch for vs. the Toronto Raptors

By Trey Flynn

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 22: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the second half of an NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at Scotiabank Arena on October 22, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 22: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the second half of an NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at Scotiabank Arena on October 22, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 22: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during anthems, prior to the first half of an NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at Scotiabank Arena on October 22, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 22: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during anthems, prior to the first half of an NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets at Scotiabank Arena on October 22, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Kyle Lowry is reminding us that he’s still very good in the regular season

Lowry is averaging 21 points and 10 assists, and happens to be shooting close to 60 percent from distance.

WHAT?

Jeff Teague, Derrick Rose, and Tyus Jones need to step up, or at least one of them do. Most likely this’ll be Teague’s game, mostly because he’s been pretty invisible through the first four games of the season. And if the only thing he’s consistent at is being inconsistent, then I don’t want him.

Fortunately, this is a season where we’ve seen Derrick Rose show everyone that he isn’t washed up – which has been a lot of fun from a fans perspective.

However, you can’t ask Rose to keep coming through in the end of games for the Timberwolves when they have close to $20 million locked up in Jeff Teague over the next few seasons. If the Wolves do intend on playing Rose at the end of games and utilizing him more than Teague, then something needs to be done on moving that $20 million – although that’s another discussion.

It’s difficult for any of these guards to really get in a nice groove because they are all true point guards and it’s not been necessarily easy to play off the ball, if need-be. While playing Rose next to Teague sounds fun, it really doesn’t work out too well – at least, not all the time.

A lineup that could make a lot of sense moving forward against the Raptors tonight could be one that the Wolves used well in their win against the Pacers, which would be to play Josh Okogie with Jimmy Butler – who both are crazy hustlers on defense.

If Kyle Lowry can be forced to take bad shots, then you’ll most likely find faults on both sides of his game – or at least that’s what his career has shown us. Worrying about Kawhi Leonard and essentially no one else besides slowing down the bench would be the only priority if Lowry can be taken out of the game.

Our last thing to watch for will be the Andrew Wiggins game-time decision.

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