Game Preview #15 – Timberwolves at Raptors

The Timberwolves head to Toronto with the aim of breaking a 21-season losing streak. It’s time for Minnesota to take care of business before heading into a key stretch of tough games Thanksgiving week.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Toronto Raptors
Date: November 21st, 2024
Time: 6:30PM CST
Location: Scotia Bank Arena
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM/Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Timberwolves Eye Redemption North of the Border

Alright, Wolves fans, let’s talk about streaks—the good, the bad, and the downright cursed. After a three-day breather following their gutsy last-second win over the Phoenix Suns, the Timberwolves are heading to Toronto to face a Raptors team that’s hanging out in the basement of the Eastern Conference standings. This should be a layup, right? A nice little appetizer before Sunday’s marquee matchup with the Boston Celtics. Except, of course, for one glaring detail: the Timberwolves haven’t won a game in Toronto since 2004.

Let’s put that in perspective. The last time the Wolves left Canada with a win, Shrek 2 was dominating the box office, Facebook was still just a college thing, and Latrell Sprewell was more worried about feeding his family than his three-point percentage. Over 21 seasons, the Timberwolves have found ways to lose 19 straight games north of the border, sometimes in spectacularly frustrating fashion. Last season, they had a golden opportunity to snap the streak in the season opener and still couldn’t close the deal.

Tomorrow night, they get another shot at redemption. The Raptors aren’t exactly lighting the league on fire, and on paper, this should be an easy win. But as any Timberwolves fan knows, “easy” doesn’t really exist in the Wolves’ vocabulary.

Rested, but Ready?

The Wolves have had three days to recover, regroup, and recalibrate. Hopefully, Chris Finch has used this time wisely, focusing on building the cohesion and consistency this team has been sorely lacking in the early weeks of the season. With the way things have gone, every break in the schedule feels like a gift, a chance to fix what’s broken before the next grueling stretch.

The injury report looks promising. Mike Conley and Donte DiVincenzo are listed as game-time decisions. My gut says we’ll see DiVincenzo out there, but Conley might sit this one out to give his veteran legs an extended midseason breather. If that’s the case, it’s on Anthony Edwards, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and potentially Rob Dillingham to handle the offense and keep things flowing.

That’s where things get dicey. Without Conley’s steady hand, the Wolves’ offense has a tendency to unravel into a chaotic mess of contested threes and ill-advised hero-ball. Against a struggling Raptors team, that kind of disorganized play could lead to one of those inexplicable losses that keeps you up at night questioning all of your life choices.

Live by the Three, Die by the Three

The Wolves’ reliance on three-point shooting has been both a blessing and a curse. When the shots are falling, they look unstoppable. But when they’re not? Yikes. Tomorrow’s game will be a test of discipline. If the threes aren’t dropping, can the Wolves adjust, attack the basket, and find other ways to score? They’ve got the firepower in Edwards and Julius Randle to bully their way to the rim, and Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid should be able to exploit mismatches inside.

The Raptors, while struggling, aren’t going to just roll over. They’ve got pride, and they’ve also got Scottie Barnes, who’s capable of causing problems on both ends of the floor. The Wolves can’t afford to take their foot off the gas or overlook this team, no matter how lopsided the standings look.

Looking Ahead

This game isn’t just about breaking a 21-year curse or padding the win column. It’s about momentum. After Toronto, the Wolves head into a pivotal stretch with matchups against Boston, Houston, Sacramento, and the Clippers. These games will define how November ends and December begins.

The Wolves currently sit two games back in the loss column from Oklahoma City, the team everyone assumed they’d have to beat to claim the West’s top seed. Golden State is holding down the No. 1 spot for now, but they feel catchable—if the Wolves can get their act together and string together a few wins.

A strong close to the month could put Minnesota in the thick of the Western Conference race and solidify their spot in the NBA Cup. There’s a path here for the Wolves to not only erase their early-season missteps but also establish themselves as a legitimate contender.

The Bottom Line

Tomorrow’s game against Toronto isn’t just another date on the calendar. It’s a chance to shake off the ghosts of the past, build momentum for the future, and show that this Wolves team has the focus and fight to take the next step.

Sure, the Celtics game on Sunday is the headliner, but first things first: the Wolves need to handle their business in Toronto. If they can do that, the next 10 days could set the tone for a season that still holds so much promise.

So, here’s hoping the Timberwolves come out hungry, disciplined, and ready to put an end to a two-decade-old drought. The ball’s in their court—literally. Let’s see if they’re ready to make it rain north of the border.

Keep an eye out and join the Canis Hoopus Playback stream to watch the game with some of our creators! To participate, just create a free account, connect your League Pass sub if you have it, and join our community.