For the fourth time in five games the Timberwolves (3-2) held their opponent under 100 points as they thumped the Utah Jazz 123-95 Saturday night in Minneapolis.
Minnesota held four opponents under 100 points all of last season. The defense was stifling again in front of a large crowd inside Target Center, holding Utah to 38.5% shooting after limiting Denver to 39.6% shooting on Wednesday.
Minnesota opened up a 23-12 lead in the first quarter but then let the Jazz go on a 30-15 run over the next 10 minutes, 30 seconds and found themselves trailing 42-38. Minnesota closed the quarter on a 17-8 run and took a 55-50 lead into the half.
Final stats:
- Anthony Edwards: 31 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 13-19 shooting
- Karl-Anthony Towns: 25 points, 7 rebounds, 9-10 free throws
- Rudy Gobert: 11 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks
- Mike Conley: 7 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 turnovers
- Kyle Anderson: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks
- Naz Reid: 16 points, 5 rebounds in 22 minutes
That lead ballooned to 15 points after the Wolves outscored the Jazz 37-27 in the third quarter, when Karl-Anthony Towns scored 15 of his 27 points.
And then Minnesota opened the lead to 23 points with a burst to start the fourth quarter, capped by Anthony Edwards getting a steal and taking it back the other way for a windmill dunk.
ANTHONY EDWARDS WITH THE WINDMILL 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dMcVkg1LHs
— Backcourt Alerts (@BackcourtAlerts) November 5, 2023
Minnesota emptied the bench for the final three-plus minutes and they pushed the lead to as many as 31 points before the final horn sounded.
Up next: Timberwolves vs. Celtics, Monday at 7 p.m. CT.
