Minnesota Timberwolves at Toronto Raptors: Odds, injuries, what to watch for

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a Valentine’s Day date with the Toronto Raptors in Tampa on Sunday evening.

The Raptors, of course, are playing their home schedule in Tampa due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are 6-5 thus far at Amalie Arena, while the Wolves are just 2-12 on the road.

The Wolves have lost four straight games, including a six-point loss in Charlotte on Friday night. After a rough start to the season, the Raptors have won five of their last seven games but lost on the road to the Boston Celtics by 14 points on Thursday in their most recent game.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Toronto Raptors: Odds, injuries, what to watch for

The Wolves have had Karl-Anthony Towns back for their last two games after he had missed nearly a month following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. They’ve been competitive with Towns on the floor all season, so it stands to reason that Sunday evening’s game shouldn’t be any different.

D’Angelo Russell will not play, however, as he is not on the road trip following right leg soreness. It is a separate injury from the left quadriceps issue that caused him to miss games earlier this year.

Minnesota Timberwolves odds at Toronto Raptors

The Wolves are eight-point underdogs, according to The Action Network. Given the Wolves’ road issues and still-thin roster, this feels right.

TV and streaming info for Minnesota Timberwolves at Toronto Raptors

• Television: Fox Sports North
• Radio: 830 WCCO
• Stream: Fubo.tv offers streaming options

What to watch for in Minnesota Timberwolves at Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have the ninth-best point differential in the league but have a won-loss record of just 12-14. Their expected record, however, is 15-11, pointing to some hard-luck losses to this point in the season.

Given that the Raptors have one of the league’s best coaches in Nick Nurse, it’s fair to assume that the Raptors will finish the season in much better fashion than they started it. Their ascent has already begun, as they sit No. 8 in the Eastern Conference.

Additionally, OG Anunoby has missed six games and should be returning soon. He is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Wolves.

The Raptors continue to be one of the league’s best 3-point shooting teams, ranking No. 3 in attempts per game and No. 5 in percentage from long range. They’re fairly middle-of-the-pack when it comes to defense and are one of the few teams who have been worse than the Wolves on the glass.

Both teams have fouled far too frequently and are in the bottom-five in preventing opponent free throw attempts.

The Raptors actually aren’t a terrible matchup for the Wolves, who have defended the 3-point line fairly well this year and have a pair of decent defensive point guards in Ricky Rubio and Jordan McLaughlin to check Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry. Toronto’s Aron Baynes and Chris Boucher will have their hands full trying to slow down Towns, too.

But with a clear coaching advantage and more talent overall, the Raptors are the obvious favorite. A road win here for the Wolves would be impressive.

Injury report for Minnesota Timberwolves at Toronto Raptors

The Wolves are without Russell (leg soreness) and Jarrett Culver (sprained ankle) but are otherwise healthy.

The Raptors have listed Anunoby as questionable and Yuta Watanabe as doubtful. Patrick McCaw hasn’t played in a game yet this season and remains out.

We’ll be back after the game with player grades. Enjoy Valentine’s Day hoops!