Barnes returns, Barrett, Boucher star, Raptors on win streak

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Break up the Raptors.

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For the first time since last April, Toronto has won two straight games, thanks to a solid effort on Thursday night, which resulted in an 110-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Scottie Barnes returned and scored nine of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, Canadian RJ Barrett scored 31 points on 10-for-14 shooting and the other member of the Killer Bs, Chris Boucher, added 22 off the bench as the Raptors improved to 4-12.

It was only the second time this season that Barnes and RJ Barrett both played in the same game.

Anthony Edwards had a poor first half, but finished with 26 points for Minnesota, a franchise that has not won at Toronto since 2004, when Vince Carter was still a Raptor and Chris Bosh was a rookie. Julius Randle added 23, Jaden McDaniels 22.

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The Raptors welcomed Barnes back after the all-star had missed 11 games due to a fractured right orbital bone. Barnes showed some early rust in terms of timing, throwing the ball away, resulting in a breakaway dunk, but also responded with a three-point make right after. Barnes was hit with a bizarre technical foul for taunting after gesturing and saying something to McDaniels, who had dunked on him on the previous play and was guarding him on the three-point make.

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The Raptors led 32-27 after an impressive first quarter that saw them shoot 77.8% from the field. But Toronto had five turnovers and eight fouls to Minnesota’s three fouls, allowing the Wolves to stay close despite 31.6% shooting.

Toronto also led at the half, in part thanks to 15-for-24 shooting (62.5%) in the paint, with Barrett going 5-for-6 in the paint.

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But after a quiet first half, Edwards picked up a fourth foul less than a minute into the third quarter, he went off, scoring 11 in the frame and the Wolves carved out a 79-77 advantage.

Later, it was time for Barnes to take control for his team.

Barnes didn’t look to score too often, but picked it up after checking in for the latter stages of the fourth quarter. Barnes got to the free throw line, hit a tough turnaround shot and roared. He then hit a layup off a long pass following a Minnesota turnover. Later, McDaniels missed a dunk, the Raptors ran and Gradey Dick found RJ Barrett for an alley-top to make it 105-96 with 2:33 remaining.

The Raptors played on the Greatest of All Toronto Court for the first of five games this season. The throwback court features purple that harkens back to the SkyDome days and has the Vince Carter slam dunk tribute logo at centre court. It’s easily the nicest the team has ever played on.

@WolstatSun

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