Tonight is the much anticipated homecoming of Canadian rookie Andrew Wiggins as the (40-27) Toronto Raptors take on the (14-52) Minnesota Timberwolves for their first meeting of the year. The Raptors look to win back-to-back for the fist time this month, but all the attention will be towards the debut of Andrew Wiggins on his home turf.
Andrew Wiggins is averaging 15.7 points, and 4.7 rebounds on 43 percent shooting in his rookie season. He's also won every single rookie of the month award in the Western Conference and will likely win this years rookie of the year award. Wiggins will also look to get out of the slump he's been in recently, just averaging 13.2 points on 37.7 from the field in his last five games. It won't be easy though as he comes back home and his family, friends and high school teammates will all be in attendance and all the spotlight will be on him.
Wiggins: "Right now I'm not nervous but I'm sure I'll have some butterflies before the game. I get butterflies before every game"
There has also been tons of rumors circling around regarding Wiggins possibly joining the Raptors when he becomes a free agent. Wiggins simply put the rumors to rest this morning.
"I love Minnesota. I plan to be there for a very, very long time"
The Timberwolves look to end their 5-game losing streak as they take on the Raptors tonight. The Timberwolves were handed a tough loss Monday night against the Brooklyn Nets, 122-106. The Timberwolves were down to just 8 players on Monday and Kevin Martin's 23 points wasn't enough and the Timberwolves were handed their 9th loss in their last 10 games.
The Raptors look to carry over their great performance on Monday against the Indiana Pacers into tonights anticipated matchup against the Timberwolves. Kyle Lowry was phenomenal on Monday night recording his 7th career triple-double posting up 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in 117-98 win over the Pacers. The Raptors currently sit 3rd in the eastern conference with both the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards right on their tails.
Tonights meeting between the Raptors and the Timberwolves should be a great one with the debut on home turf for Andrew Wiggins and the playoffs just being less than a month away!
NOTE:
Raptors: Terrence Ross - back spasms (questionable), Lucas Nogueira - on assignment with NBA Development League
Timberwolves: Anthony Bennett - sprained right ankle (out), Kevin Garnett - sore left knee (questionable), Robbie Hummel - fractured right hand (out), Shabazz Muhammad - ruptured ligament in the middle finger on his left hand (out), Gary Neal - sore right ankle (questionable), Nikola Pekovic - sore right ankle (questionable), Ricky Rubio - sore right ankle (questionable)