Mississauga’s RJ Barrett contributed 31 points and the Toronto Raptors won 110-105 over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.
Darko Rajakovic’s group deserved a second victory in a row for the first time this season.
Barrett also had seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Back in action with protective glasses, Scottie Barnes was efficient with 17 points and six assists.
Barnes returned after an 11-game absence, the result of a fractured right eye socket. He was injured in the fourth quarter on October 28, against the Denver Nuggets.
Montreal’s Chris Boucher stood out with 22 points, including a 3-for-8 performance from beyond the perimeter.
Jakob Poeltl had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors, who beat the Indiana Pacers on Monday.
Among the visitors, Anthony Edwards led the NBA in Toronto with 67 three-pointers. He lived up to his reputation with five such successes, en route to a 26-point night.
Julius Randle added 23 points, one more than Jaden McDaniels.
Toronto led by a single point at the half, 52-51.
Boucher made a three-pointer to make it 95-95, shortly after the middle of the final quarter.
Barnes followed up with free throws and a mid-range shot that had a favorable jump on the ring, after a turnover where Rudy Gobert lost the ball.
After a timeout requested by Minnesota, the Raptors maintained the pressure via a dunk from Barnes, after Donte DiVincenzo made a mistake.
It was then 101-95 in favor of the Toronto club, which remained in control.
Lately, a missed dunk by McDaniels and an imprecise shot by DiVincenzo, from a distance of three points, helped the Raptors’ cause even more.
Toronto will play again Sunday night in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers are 9-0 this season.
Elsewhere in the NBA
Pistons 121 – Hornets 123
DET: Cade Cunningham scored a double with 27 points and 10 assists.
CHA: Brandon Miller shone with 38 points. LaMelo Ball followed with 35 points.
Jazz 118 – Spurs 126
UTA: Lauri Markkanen was the most productive on his team with 27 points.
SAS: Harrison Barnes had a game of 25 points and 10 rebounds.
Magic – Lakers
