Scottie Barnes appears to be rounding into form with the Toronto Raptors, who face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday in Minneapolis.
Last season’s Rookie of the Year has elevated his game this month, averaging 18.4 points and 7.9 rebounds while shooting a team-high 48.8 percent from the field.
Barnes recorded his 12th double-double of the season in a 130-122 loss to the host Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds. After struggling to find his shot early in the season, Barnes has scored 20 or more points in four of his past six games.
At five games under .500, the Raptors have been one of the league’s more disappointing teams. However, Nurse believes his squad has the talent to push for a playoff spot.
Toronto has won its past three meetings against Minnesota, which is looking to bounce back from a 122-118 road loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
Jaden McDaniels led seven Minnesota players in double figures with 18 points in the defeat. Kyle Anderson had 13 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Naz Reid started in place of Rudy Gobert (sore groin) and scored 17 points. Gobert is listed as day-to-day.
Minnesota shot 12 of 32 (37.5 percent) from 3-point range in the loss and was outscored by 11 in the fourth quarter.
With center Karl-Anthony Towns sidelined due to a calf injury, Minnesota has relied heavily on guard Anthony Edwards. The third-year pro has been up to the task, averaging 23.2 points in nine games this month.
The Wolves are 8-14 on the road but 14-10 at home. Now past the midway point of the season, Finch is still trying to figure out his perplexing squad.
Minnesota’s search for consistent play continues against Toronto guard Fred VanVleet, who has averaged 36 points over his last two games. The Raptors have also received a boost from center Pascal Siakam over the past month. The seventh-year pro has averaged 27.1 points in his past 16 games.
Siakam recorded a triple-double in Toronto’s last matchup against Minnesota, recording 12 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists in the Raptors’ 125-102 home win on March 30, 2022.
