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Bosh Drops 21 And 16 As Raptors Edge Timberwolves
(Sports Network) - Chris Bosh poured in 21 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, as the Toronto Raptors continued their recent dominance over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 94-88 victory at Air Canada Centre.
Jarrett Jack added 17 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for the Raptors, who have won 11 straight games versus Minnesota. Hedo Turkoglu had 16 points and eight rebounds. Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan each had 15 points for Toronto, which has won a season-high three consecutive games.
Kevin Love ended with 18 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Timberwolves, who haven’t beat the Raptors since a 108-97 decision on January 21, 2004. Jonny Flynn chipped in 17 points and eight assists. Ryan Gomes finished with 16 points for Minnesota, which dropped to 3-18 on the season.
Down 84-78 late in the fourth, the Timberwolves ripped off six straight points to tie the game. Love’s jumper deadlocked things at 84 with 2:17 to play.
Toronto responded with a 10-2 spurt to claim the victory. Turkoglu got things started with a slam and ended the flurry with a pair of free throws to give the Raptors a 94-86 margin.
Flynn’s layup as time expired accounted for the final margin.
Ahead 18-17 late in the first quarter, the Raptors used five consecutive points from Bargnani to take a 23-17 lead. Love’s three-point play at the end of the period cut the gap to 23-20.
The Timberwolves ripped off six straight points midway through the second to go in front. Damien Wilkins made a pair of shots from the foul line to give Minnesota a 29-28 edge with about six minutes left.
Toronto responded with a 14-4 run to take a nine-point lead. Jack capped the spurt with a pair of foul shots to make it a 42-33 game with under two minutes to go. The score was 43-35 at the break.
Minnesota got within three early in the third, but the Raptors put together a 7-0 spurt midway through the stanza. Bosh’s free throw and jumper made it a 59-48 game with 5 1/2 minutes left.
The Timberwolves got back into the game, thanks to an 11-1 run to end the frame. Ramon Sessions’ long deuce cut the gap to 64-63 heading to the fourth.
The final period was a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final minutes.
The Raptors shot 32.1 percent from the field, while the Timberwolves made 37.1 percent of their shots...Toronto has won 13 of the last 17 meetings with Minnesota. The Raptors have also won the last six as the host in this series...The Timberwolves head back home Wednesday to take on the Hornets, while the Raptors travel to Milwaukee to play the Bucks on Wednesday.
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