• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Bosh leads Raptors past lowly Timberwolves

Feb 28, 2008 - 4:01 AM By Brian Herman PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

TORONTO (Ticker) - Chris Bosh had 28 points and seven rebounds to lead a balanced attack as the Toronto Raptors coasted to a 107-85 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

T.J. Ford provided a spark off the bench with 16 points and Jamario Moon added 11 and seven boards for the Raptors, who won for the 10th time in their last 13 home games to improve to eight games over .500.

"It's important to always protect home," Ford said.

"Games are getting more crucial down the stretch, and we have to continue to do a better job at home," Bosh said.

Rashad McCants' 22-footer gave Minnesota a one-point edge at the 6:31 mark in the second quarter before Toronto pulled away for good behind Ford, who scored six points during 15-6 surge to end the half and helped forge a 51-43 lead at intermission.

"We withstood their early run and we were able to put them away after that," Ford said.

The Raptors continued to provide some cushion as Bosh netted the first two baskets in the third, sparking a 10-3 run to open the quarter and make it 61-46 with nine minutes left.

"Early in the game we weren't making shots that we normally make," Bosh said. "We had to really take it to them and we were able to get a couple of layups and get the fast break going and build some momentum on defense."

Jason Kapono, who defended his 3-point Shootout title during All-Star weekend in New Orleans, scored on a driving layup just prior to the buzzer as Toronto extended its lead to 84-65 heading into the fourth.

The Timberwolves entered with the second-worst record in the NBA but were coming off an impressive win Tuesday night in Utah and had won two of their last four games.

Al Jefferson poured in 23 points and Randy Foye chipped in 18 for the Timberwolves, who committed 19 turnovers.

"In the first quarter, we played together and moved the ball really well and then we stopped doing that and Toronto took off from there," Foye said. "It's really disappointing how we played so physical against Utah, and then we just Toronto beat us up."