There was all the usual pomp Saturday night at Target Center for the Timberwolves’ home opener, with maybe a little extra juice.

This year marks Minnesota’s largest subscriber fan base since 1990, with the state buzzing about the basketball team that reached the Western Conference finals last season.

There was a new pregame video, the mini-on-field speech from newcomer Julius Randle – who received a standing ovation from the crowd – and introductions for each player on the roster, with Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid receiving remarkably audible welcomes, to the surprise of no one.

But then there was basketball, the main event of the evening. And for a fan base that expects so much from this season, it did not disappoint.

Because the Wolves did indeed look like title contenders in their 112-101 win over the short-handed Toronto Raptors.

Yes, Toronto is expected to be a cellar dweller this season, while currently trailing two starters and playing for the second night in a row. But the type of basketball Minnesota played Saturday was all about moving the ball and burying shots on offense, while stifling the Raptors on the other end.

Minnesota led 17-5 less than six minutes into the game. This first quarter was the best the starting five has had in three games this season, and the likely blueprint for success moving forward.

There were certainly periods of poor play mixed into the night as ball movement and shots dried up. A flawless performance, it wasn’t. Toronto made a late run to get within eight with less than three minutes to play, but the Wolves were never in danger from start to finish.

In the final minute of the game, Rudy Gobert blocked a Scottie Barnes shot on defense, leading to a Wolves runout that ended with a thunderous dunk by Edwards.

Show time.

It felt like a “thank you” to the fans for coming.

Randle led the way offensively, finishing with 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Randle collected a number of easy buckets thanks to brilliant cuts, further proof that he can indeed thrive with this team in this system.

“I’m having a lot of fun. I love being here, it’s been amazing,” Randle said during his post-match on-field interview. “Everyone is so selfless. … I just go out, try to play as hard as I can and get wins.

Edwards was ineffective in shooting (9 of 21) but still finished with 24 points.

As the final seconds ticked down, the crowd was in the same position as during the pregame festivities: standing. They hope that will be the case several times this season.

“It was good. A win is a win, and you’ll always be happy with a win,” Randle said. “As a team we still have a lot to improve.”