Timberwolves 90, Raptors 86

TORONTO -- After another energetic performance from his backups, Minnesota coach Randy Wittman isn't sure who he wants to start in the regular season.

Ryan Gomes scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, and Blake Ahearn added 15 points to help the Timberwolves beat the Toronto Raptors 90-86 on Thursday night.

"Our first unit has to play better," Wittman said. "If it wasn't for our second unit tonight, we don't win the game."

If the regulars don't stop taking too many jumpers and passing up opportunities to penetrate, Wittman said he's willing to make changes.

"We've got spots open on this team," Wittman said. "I don't know who the starting lineup is going to be Oct. 29. That's what these guys are playing for. This is preseason, but it's important, because we're trying to solidify what we want to be doing when it comes to Opening Night.

Rodney Carney and Randy Foye each had 13 points, and Al Jefferson had 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Timberwolves, 4-1 in exhibition play.

Jefferson, who said he was slowed by congestion from a head cold, isn't worried about the starters losing any playing time.

"We'll be there," Jefferson said. "Every (preseason) game is a different starting five. We're just trying to check things out. It's all about playing hard and that's what the second unit did."

Ahearn was poked in the left eye during training camp and then poked in the right eye during Wednesday's practice, but he had no trouble seeing the basket against Toronto. He made six straight shots in the second quarter, including three 3-pointers.

"Everybody is getting on me about wearing some goggles but I'm not wearing goggles yet," Ahearn said.

Andrea Bargnani led Toronto (3-2) with 22 points. Joey Graham added 12, and Kris Humphries had 10. Chris Bosh had 10 points in 21 minutes, and Jermaine O'Neal was held to four points in 15 minutes.

Trailing by seven points after three quarters, Toronto opened the fourth with a 12-4 run and went ahead 76-75 on a breakaway dunk by Humphries at 7:39, its first lead since early in the second.

It stayed close the rest of the way, and Minnesota led by just two when Graham missed a potential tying tip-in in the final 30 seconds. Gomes finished it with a pair of free throws.

The Timberwolves took advantage of Ahearn's shooting and seven Raptor turnovers to outscore Toronto 34-20 in the second and build a 52-37 lead at the half.

Minnesota played without center Calvin Booth (back), forward Brian Cardinal (calf), center David Harrison (calf) and forward Mike Miller (ankle).ankle