DeRozan, Lowry star as Raptors rip Timberwolves
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry poured in 22 points apiece on Sunday, as the Toronto Raptors earned their first win of the season with a 105-86 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Air Canada Centre.
"They got us big rebounds," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said of DeRozan and Lowry, who pulled down seven boards apiece. "To get that type of rebounding from our guards is huge."
Alan Anderson chipped in 18 points off the bench on 4-of-8 shooting from 3- point range to help the Raptors avoid their first 0-3 start since losing nine in a row to kick off the 2005-06 season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Andrei Kirilenko paced the Timberwolves with 17 points to go with six rebounds and Nikola Pekovic followed with 15 points for Minnesota, which has lost its last nine trips to Air Canada Centre.
"We didn't take care of the ball in the first half," Minnesota coach Rick Adelman said. "We hung in there and then they took over in the fourth quarter."
After a back-and-forth opening quarter found Minnesota holding a 25-24 lead, Toronto used a 9-3 swing midway through the second to grab a four-point edge, as Anderson's 3-pointer gave the Raptors a 44-40 lead with 3:40 left.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Minnesota pulled within 46-45 on a Luke Ridnour jumper, but the Raptors ripped off the next 10 points before two free throws from Brandon Roy sent the T'Wolves into the locker trailing, 56-47.
Minnesota battled back late in the third, as Pekovic's driving hook shot sparked a 7-3 swing to get the visitors back within 75-73 with just over two minutes remaining in the third.
Toronto, however, would score the final four points of the frame to take a 79-73 advantage into the fourth.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Raptors' advantage ballooned in the final stanza, as the home team opened the frame on an 11-3 run to press their lead to 90-76.
Toronto held the Timberwolves at arm's length from there, as the lead never dipped below double-digits the rest of the way to allow the Raptors to run away with the victory.
Game Notes
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Minnesota guard J.J. Barea left the game midway through the second quarter with a concussion after taking a foot to the head from teammate Dante Cunningham ... Minnesota's last win at Air Canada Centre came on Jan. 21, 2004 ... Toronto is 15-1 in its last 16 meetings with Minnesota.