NBA: Edwards, Kuminga and Minnesota overpower Toronto
Minnesota continued their perfect start to the season with a 117–94 win over Toronto. Anthony Edwards scored 26 points, Jonathan Kuminga added 13 and the Timberwolves built a decisive lead in the third quarter.
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Minnesota won their first home game of the season in commanding style. The Timberwolves beat Toronto 117–94 at the Target Center on Sunday 25 October for a third straight win. Anthony Edwards finished as the home side's top scorer with 26 points, in a game decided by accurate outside shooting and control of the boards.
Third quarter shuts the door
Minnesota quickly established their advantage, winning the first quarter 32–21. Toronto responded in the second period, winning it 26–23, and were within eight points at the break, 55–47. The Raptors could still hope to change the script after the interval.
The Timberwolves' response was emphatic. They scored 35 points in the third quarter and conceded just 15. Going into the final period, the score of 90–62 gave them a 28-point cushion. Toronto finished better, winning the last quarter 32–27, but never threatened the hosts' victory. The gap even reached 32 points during the game.
Edwards leads, Ball and Kuminga punish
Edwards made 10 of his 18 shots, including two three-pointers. Around him, the Timberwolves found several efficient contributors. LaMelo Ball racked up 15 points and 8 assists, hitting four of his five attempts from behind the arc. His accuracy helped stretch Toronto's defence and added variety to Minnesota's threats.
Jonathan Kuminga also made his possessions count. The Congolese forward scored 13 points on 4 of 8 shooting from the field, including 3 of 4 from three-point range, with 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Without a single turnover, he made a useful contribution to a starting five in which each of the five players played an identifiable part in the win.
Jaden McDaniels added to that output with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. Rudy Gobert, for his part, pulled down 13 rebounds and scored 8 points. Off the bench, Terrence Shannon Jr. added 15 points, hitting three of three attempts from three-point range.
Toronto short of answers on offence
The Timberwolves finished 43 of 77 from the field and 15 of 31 from three-point range. Their dominance on the boards, 49 rebounds to 34, allowed them to control another important part of the game. Their 24 team turnovers remain a point to fix, however, despite the scale of the result.
For the Raptors, Ja’Kobe Walter scored 22 points, RJ Barrett 20 and Immanuel Quickley 19. Scottie Barnes had a far tougher night, failing to score on twelve attempts. Toronto suffer their first defeat after two wins. Minnesota remain unbeaten after three games, with an efficient attack and several players capable of taking up the slack from Edwards.
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