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Jefferson, Timberwolves to face Bosh, Raptors

Feb 10, 2008 - 3:57 PM Toronto (26-22) at Minnesota (10-38) 6:30 pm EST

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) - Now that the Boston Celtics are off the radar screen for the rest of the season, the Minnesota Timberwolves can go back to just concentrating on basketball.

The Timberwolves look to erase the sting of another close loss to the Celtics when they host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.

Minnesota fell, 88-86, against Boston on Friday when Leon Powe sank a layup at the buzzer. It was their second close loss of the season to the Celtics, with whom four players in the Timberwolves' regular rotation spent last season.

Al Jefferson, who was the key player going back to Minnesota in last summer's trade that sent Kevin Garnett to Boston, managed 18 points in the setback. The only two times since January 18 that he has failed to reach 20 points have been against his former team.

The emotional loss marred what has been an encouraging stretch of basketball for the rebuilding Timberwolves, who have won five of their last nine games after winning just five of their first 39.

The Raptors are coming off a 102-98 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. All-Star Chris Bosh had 29 points and 12 rebounds in the setback, which marked T.J. Ford's first home game since suffering a neck stinger on December 12.

Ford managed two points on 1-of-4 shooting in 13 minutes. He will continue to backup starting point guard Jose Calderon until he works his way back into shape.

Toronto has not lost consecutive games since January 4 and 6.