LVSL Game 2: Raptors 82, Timberwolves 80

Holly MacKenzie - Raptors.com

Delon Wright put Toronto ahead by four on a pretty bank shot with 5.2 seconds remaining. Adreian Payne would score on a tip in to bring Minnesota within two with 1.6 on the clock, but the Raptors were able to hold on for the 82-80 victory. The win moves Toronto to 2-0 in summer league play.

After a solid first-half debut on Friday against the Sacramento Kings, Pascal Siakam sat out Sunday’s game with a sore knee. Jakob Poeltl played nearly 25 minutes and finished with six points (2-for-2 field goals), five rebounds, a steal and three blocked shots.

For the second consecutive game, Norman Powell showed why he earned the trust of Toronto’s coaching staff in this year’s postseason run. Powell looked fantastic against the Timberwolves, getting to the line at will and coming up with nine big points in a close fourth quarter as the Raptors came back from an eight-point deficit after three quarters.

Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri joined the TV broadcast for a chat during the game and discussed (among other things) Norman Powell's work ethic and Jakob Poeltl's love of the game. Ujiri also praised head coach Dwane Casey for his work on the floor, as well as for the person he is away from it, saying he's helped to give the Raptors their identity.

Norman Powell scored his 29 points on 7-for-15 field goals. He shot 4-for-8 from beyond the arc and 11-for-12 from the free throw line. Powell added a team-high eight rebounds to go with three assists in 28 minutes.

“Composure. That’s what you’re trying to teach at the end of the game. How can we be composed and execute like we need to. I thought Norman stepped up big time, but Delon was the real key for us. Delon settled the game down and allowed us to do what we wanted to do. For both of them to be in those situations it’s tremendous growth and learning. As a coach you never want close games, but for their growth and development, it’s great for us."- Jama Mahlalela on Delon Wright and Norman Powell leading the way

9…Made 3-pointers for Toronto (9-for-26). Minnesota shot 5-for-18 from beyond the arc.

15…Points for Bruno Caboclo who shot 5-for-13 from the floor, 3-for-7 from deep, and 2-for-4 from the free throw line. Caboclo also added two rebounds, an assist and two blocked shots.

16…Turnovers for the Raptors, compared to 12 for the Wolves.

9…Blocked shots for the Raptors, compared to three for Minnesota.

13…Points for Delon Wright. Wright had some beautiful finishes around the basket and continued to show poise leading the team as he added four rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 30 minutes of action.

“I think just the comfort level, you can see it with the pick-and-roll, they’ve done it a million times already. The NBA is a lot about nuances between players. Finding those synergies. Point guards to centers. They already have it. It makes it easier for me. I know I can run a pick-and-roll and they’ll be pretty effective in it because they have experience. They know where they like the ball and Jakob knows how far to roll, how far not to roll. It’s good. It helps us.”- Jama Mahlalela on the connection between former college teammates Delon Wright and Jakob Poeltl

“I think he handled it real well. Controlled the team, controlled the pace of the game. Picking his spots, he had that big layup at the end of the game that really closed it. He’s done a great job doing that. He’s the leader of the team. He’s smart. He knows the game. His IQ level is high. That’s what we need him to do.”- Norman Powell on the play of backcourt mate Delon Wright

“Real comfortable. He sets good screens. Today I didn't really hit him on the roll as much as I would like to, but he set some good screens and I tried to get other guys involved…It’s been really good. He’s a real high-energy type player. He’s been getting a lot of rebounds for us, just doing the dirty work for us. He hasn’t been getting a lot of touches, but he’s been doing the dirty work and that’s where he’s getting his points and rebounds.”- Delon Wright on his familiarity with Jakob Poeltl and how he's fared so far

“I think he tried to diversify his game a little bit more. There are still some decisions where he’s not quite feeling comfortable, the game [tonight] wasn’t quite as slow as the first game, so we’re still going to work on slowing it down and keeping the game simple. He’s such a talented player when the game is simple. When it becomes too much maybe [he has] a turnover here, a turnover there, but overall putting him in these situations, close games, the teaching and the learning, he really thrives in that, too. He wanted to be there. You could see in the timeout he was excited about what was happening. That’s all you can ask for. He’s got to grow, but so does the whole team.”- Jama Mahlalela on Bruno Caboclo expanding his game

The Raptors will take on the Dallas Mavericks on Monday at 6:30 P.M. ET.