Randle, Edwards each score 24 and Timberwolves top Raptors 112-101

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Julius Randle had 24 points nine rebounds and five assists and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Toronto Raptors 112-101 on Saturday night.

Anthony Edwards also scored 24 for Minnesota, while Rudy Gobert added 15 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks.

Toronto's Gradey Dick led all scorers with 25 points, while Scottie Barnes had 20 points and Ochai Agbaji added 19 for the Raptors.

Raptors: Playing again without leading returning scorer RJ Barrett, who is day-to-day with a shoulder injury, Toronto could not get its offense to click early. The Raptors missed eight of their first nine shots as they fell behind 16-3.

Timberwolves: Coming off their run to the Western Conference finals, the Timberwolves sold 11,000 season tickets for the first time since 1990, their first season at Target Center. The crowd for the home opener got its first look at Randle and Donte DiVencenzo, who were acquired in a trade with the New York Knicks, and the duo didn't disappoint. Randle filled the stat sheet, while DiVincenzo scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers.

The Raptors trailed by 12 at halftime but started the third quarter with a spurt, cutting Minnesota’s lead to single digits for the first time since early in the first quarter. But Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Randle combined for 13 straight points to build Minnesota’s lead back to 78-56. The Wolves kept the Raptors at arm's length the rest of the night.

After shooting 46 free throws in their win over Milwaukee on Friday, the Raptors went to the line just 13 times, making nine.

The Timberwolves host Dallas on Tuesday night in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals. Toronto returns home to face Denver on Monday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch brings his team into a timeout during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Toronto Raptors guard D.J. Carton (3) struggles for a loose ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) celebrates a score during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, left, and forward Julius Randle, center, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Toronto Raptors guard D.J. Carton (3) passes under the hoop while Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) drives toward the hoop while Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) and guard Anthony Edwards (5) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A shooting outside a church building in Salt Lake City killed two people and injured six others Wednesday, police said.

The shooting took place in the parking lot of a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church.

Dozens of people were attending a funeral inside at the time. All the victims were adults.

Police said they do not believe the shooter had any animus toward a particular faith.

“We don’t believe this was a targeted attack against a religion or anything like that,” Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said.

Police also do not believe the shooting was random. Authorities said no suspect was in custody.

About 100 law enforcement vehicles were at the scene in the aftermath, and helicopters flew overhead.

“This should never have happened outside a place of worship. This should never have happened outside a celebration of life,” Mayor Erin Mendenhall said.

The church was cooperating with law enforcement and was grateful for efforts first responders' efforts, a spokesperson said.

“We extend prayers for all who have been impacted by this tragedy and express deep concern that any sacred space intended for worship should be subjected to violence of any kind,” Sam Penrod said in a statement.

The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, and about half of Utah’s 3.5 million residents are members of the faith. Churches like the one where the shooting occurred can be found in towns throughout the city and state.

The faith has been on heightened alert since four people were killed when a former Marine opened fire in a Michigan church last month and set it ablaze. The FBI found that he was motivated by “anti-religious beliefs” against the church.

Police respond to a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)

Police respond to a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)

Police respond to a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Laura Seitz/The Deseret News via AP)

People hug each other after a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Laura Seitz/The Deseret News via AP)

Funeral attendees leave a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after a fatal shooting in the parking lot in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Laura Seitz/The Deseret News via AP)

Police respond to a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Rio Giancarlo/The Deseret News via AP)