The Timberwolves’ starting lineup was on the floor for the first 5 minutes, 34 seconds of the team’s 112-101 victory over Toronto. It was also together at the start of the third quarter for 5:50, and in those stretches, the starting unit played its best basketball of the young season.
The Wolves raced out to a 17-5 lead before coach Chris Finch made a substitution. That double-digit lead set the tone for a comfortable win, despite some sloppy play late, against a shorthanded Toronto team that was without RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Bruce Brown.
Then in the third quarter, the Wolves extended a 12-point lead to 20 before Finch made the first sub of the second half. In those times, the starting lineup showed glimpses of what it could be after a wobbly start to the season on the West Coast.
After three games, the starting lineup has played 44 minutes together and has a plus minus of zero. Those two shifts together on Saturday did a lot to make up for the minus-14 the starters had entering the night. The unit didn’t close the game particularly strong; Toronto cut the lead to 104-96 with 2:44 to play thanks to some questionable decisions and loss of focus, but the night was overall an encouraging one for the lineup combination the Wolves need to work best.
Julius Randle (9-for-16) and Anthony Edwards (9-for-21) each had 24 points while Rudy Gobert wouldn’t let the Wolves lose this one with 15 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, which included two on one possession.
“It looks like it’s starting to come together,” Finch said. “Things that I can see that maybe we can lean into are starting to form a little bit. We got to keep doing it particularly when it matters most, but it was good for those guys.”
Finch said the early decision-making in the offense and spacing around Randle has improved since opening night against the Lakers, and that Gobert’s spacing around Randle has had to change from the way the team spaced around Karl-Anthony Towns the last two seasons. Gobet said he has to be more cognizant of Randle’s ability to drive.
“I try to be in a spot where I’m not in his way,” Gobert said. “Also he’s able to to find me if my man helps, or if someone collapses, find the shooter. ...We gotta get a long way to go, but it’s fun. It’s fun to watch him work, and he’s a very good passer, too, so he’s gonna be able to find his teammates most of the time.”