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Defense-less Timberwolves to face Raptors

Feb 24, 2009 - 11:19 AM Minnesota (18-37) at Toronto (22-36) 7:00 p.m. EST

TORONTO (Ticker) -- With their anchor on the shelf, the Minnesota Timberwolves' already weak defense has become a much bigger problem.

The Timberwolves will look to put the clamps down when they face the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.

Minnesota is allowing an average of 103 points per game season, but has seen that number jump to 109.6 in five games since center Al Jefferson went down for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee.

The Timberwolves' inability to get a stop doomed them on Sunday.

Kobe Bryant was able to easily work his way into the lane in the final minutes and draw a pair of fouls, allowing the Los Angeles Lakers to grab a 111-108 win. The Lakers shot 52 percent in the contest.

The Raptors are by no means an offensive juggernaut, ranking in the bottom half of the league with an average of 96.8 points per game, but are coming off a 111-100 win over the New York Knicks on Sunday and are just beginning to break another offensive weapon, Shawn Marion, into their system.

Marion chipped in 16 points and 15 rebounds against the Knicks - his best effort in three games with Toronto.

The Raptors played a part in the Timberwolves recent defensive slide, earning a 110-102 win at Minnesota on February 10.