NBA Game Summary - Minnesota at Toronto
Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and 15 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 105-100 on Wednesday night.
DeMar DeRozan posted 21 points and seven boards, Terrence Ross netted 15 points and Patrick Patterson added 14 off the bench for the Raptors, who have won three of their last four games on the heels of a 1-9 stretch.
All-Star guard Kyle Lowry left in the third quarter after taking a hard fall on his back.
"One of those things where he hit the floor and tweaked his back," Toronto coach Dwane Casey said. "We have to see where he is tomorrow."
Kevin Martin scored 37 points, while Chase Budinger supplied 19 points and eight rebounds for Minnesota, which has dropped six in a row and 10 of its last 11 contests.
Andrew Wiggins, who grew up in the north suburbs of Toronto, received a loud ovation during pregame introductions.
"Even though we didn't win the game, I still feel appreciated, and had fun," he said.
A Wiggins tip-in and Budinger jumper pulled the Wolves within 98-96 with 2:44 remaining, but Toronto scored seven of the next nine points to put the game away.
DeRozan knocked down a fadeaway jumper and Lou Williams drove in for a layup to put the Raptors back up by six. After Gorgui Dieng banked in a short turnaround jumper, Greivis Vasquez nailed a 3-pointer with just under a minute left for a 105-98 Toronto cushion.
Minnesota never threatened again.
The Wolves held a 32-31 edge following a quarter of play, but Toronto outscored them 23-22 in the second and the game was tied 54-54 at the break.
Back-to-back baskets by Valanciunas capped a 9-1 Raptors spurt, which staked them to a 65-56 margin at the 7:58 mark of the third.
Toronto took an 82-75 spread into the fourth.