Wolves 112, Raptors 101: Timberwolves open home schedule with a win

For the first time in 195 days, the Minnesota Timberwolves were back at Target Center for a regular season home game. After splitting the first two games of the season in California, the Wolves tried to get over .500 for the first time this season against the Toronto Raptors.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch spoke before the game about his feelings about Rudy Gobert's contract extension, which was finalized Tuesday.

Very excited, obviously really excited. He somehow changed the personality of our team with his defensive attitude. Last year he once again established himself as Defensive Player of the Year. And it was a big part of everything we tried. He's fun to coach, he's a winner and he's good to work with young players. And he leads by example on and off the floor. And he's a great role model for men who want to learn to eat better, take better care of their bodies, all these little things that he shows them by example every day.

Finch also talked about playing in front of a full Target Center crowd for the first time this season.

Definitely a lot of excitement. [Fans] Get the opportunity to see us at home. There was so much feedback walking around the city, it was fun. But now we have to put it into action.

The Wolves got off to a solid start, with Mike Conley hitting two 3-pointers and Anthony Edwards hitting Gobert with a lob, giving the Wolves an early 10-3 lead.

Minnesota's starters continued to build their lead in the first quarter, extending it to as many as 12 points before both teams' benches moved into the game.

The high 3-point volume that the Wolves focused on in the preseason was a weapon in the first quarter, as Minnesota would take a 7:13 lead from distance despite that bomb from Donte DiVincenzo in the first quarter.

One notable change in the way the league has been run so far this NBA season is the lack of fouls on drives to the rim. This change will likely benefit a Wolves team that defended physically and dramatically increased its 3-point volume early.

The attacks from deep would just continue for Minnesota as Nickeil Alexander-Walker would hit the Wolves' eighth 3-pointer early in the second quarter to put the Wolves up 18 points.

Toronto went on a 7-0 run to cut the Wolves' lead to 11 before Edwards hit two putbacks to push the lead back to 14. The two teams were leading 56:44 until halftime.

Edwards led Minnesota with 14 points on 5-for-11 shooting, including three 3-pointers. DiVincenzo was the other Wolf in double figures with 11. Gradey Dick had 12 points for Toronto, while Scottie Barnes scored just six points in the first half.

Jaden McDaniels came out of the halftime locker room aggressively, scoring seven straight points for the Timberwolves and extending their lead to 15 before a Raptors timeout.

Ant joined in on the fun, making a layup in transition and easily provoking a couple of Toronto defenders.

Minnesota pushed its lead to as many as 22 points in the third quarter before a small Toronto run cut the lead to 17 early in the final quarter.

The Raptors continued to stay in the game and slowly cut the Wolves' lead to 12 about halfway through the fourth quarter. After some back and forth, the Raptors hit two three-pointers and cut the Wolves' lead to just eight with two minutes left.

Despite some terrible offense from Minnesota throughout the game, the lead they built early in the game would prove to be enough as the Timberwolves won their home opener 112-101 against the Raptors.

Edwards and Randle led the Wolves with 24 points each. Dick was the Raptors' leading scorer with 25 points.

This story will be updated with key insights and quotes throughout the night as player and coach media become available.