Minnesota Timberwolves vs Toronto Raptors Prediction: Exhausted Wolves take on average Raptors

The NBA midseason window is one of the most exciting ones. First, we see a clear picture of the team's needs around the halfway mark and second, the trade deadline heads closer which heats up the rumor mill. Let us see what roster shuffles we see as the environment gets full speculations. In this NBA game, the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to take on the Toronto Raptors in a cross-Conference affair.

The Timberwolves come into this game after a fantastic effort against the Nuggets but in the end, lost 118-122 away from home. Seven players were in the 13-18 points range in what was a balanced offensive effort but the team blew a double-digit lead and was outperformed 34-23 in this last quarter. This was the second straight close loss and during both instances, the Wolves were heavily outscored in the last quarter. They now have 24 losses and 22 losses and have not played a great brand of basketball after hauling in Rudy Gobert(currently injured)

Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell have carried the offense, especially the former scoring around 25 a game since the absence of Karl Anthony-Towns. The perimeter hasn’t been their friend as they have given up around 37% from three(bottom five) while shooting around 35%(11th worst) of their threes, meaning they have been repeatedly outdone from deep. They are also at the bottom of various rebounding metrics so it looks like the deal to bring in Rudy Gobert hasn’t worked out well. More than the offense, the defense has held the team back.

The Raptors come into this game after losing 122:130 against the Bucks despite a fiery 39 points outburst by Fred Van Vleet. They have lost two of their last three but in an extended window, they have won four out of their last six games. Overall, they have been rather disappointing this season, winning just 20 games and losing 25 after they had sparked great confidence last season. Their inability to win has now sparked trade rumors and there is a chance that two-way Guard Gary Trent Jr. can be traded with things looking bleak in multiple areas.

One area where the Raptors have struggled is the long-range shooting, making fourth-least three-pointers(below 11 a game) while also having the second-worst percentage from there(32.9%). They also have the second-worst percentage from within the three-point line(51.5%). One upside is that they commit the least turnovers(below 12 a game) and are fourth in offensive rebounds(12.6 a game). Pascal Siakam is having his best season whereas Fred is playing much better. OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, and Gary Trent make for a great defensive effort but it is the lack of consistency that has plagued the team.

• Timberwolves: OUT: Jordan McLaughlin, Karl Anthony-Towns. Game-Time Decisions: Austin Reaves, Rudy Gobert;
• Raptors: OUT: Otto Porter Jr. Game-Time Decision: Delano Banton.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Pascal Siakam(28-35 Points), Anthony Edwards(24-29 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Scottie Barnes(9-12 Rebounds), Kyle Anderson(9-12 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Pascal Siakam(7-9 Assists), D’Angelo Russell(7-9 Assists).

The Timberwolves played last night and were pushed to their limits by an amped-up Nuggets squad. They will have the comforts of home here but they will need to slow down the pace against a Raptors squad that can up the ante on defense. The Raptors have 14 losses and eight wins on the road scenario but they have a huge chance of pulling one off here considering the exhaustion of the Wolves. I see a close game here with the Raps edging out the Wolves 113:107.