Minnesota Timberwolves made significant fouls down the stretch and Utah Jazz came from behind to a thrilling 112-107 win at Target Centre in Minneapolis.
15,809 basketball fans witnessed Utah’s daring style to come back from a 15-point deficit sixth time this year, including this one.
"We had to overcome a lot. They played well. They battled and took us out of our rhythm early and we didn't really respond until the fourth quarter,” Utah point guard Deron Williams said.
High-flying players
Deron Williams played one of his best games and scored team-high 25 points in Jazz’s 21st victory of the season. Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson contributed 23 apiece. Millsap also grabbed team-highest 11 rebounds while Andrei Kirilenko posted 16
points.
Kevin Love did all he could and scored 25 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in the losing effort. Michael Beasley contributed 24 points, 3 assists, 10 rebounds and a single steal in the season’s 24th defeat of Minnesota. Luke Ridnour (16 points),
Martell Webster (16 points) and Wesley Johnson (14 points) joined Kelvin and Beasley in double figures.
Game story
Seeing the Wolves leading 52-45, it was hard to believe and Utah’s fans were concerned about a letdown. Utah did not disappoint its fans and fortunately passed the test with flying colours.
Both teams started ice cold, but Minnesota managed to make it to the free throw line early to help build a quick lead, 29-20 by the end of first quarter.
Although Jazz fought hard in the second quarter, the Timberwolves slowly started to expand their lead, finishing at 52-45 after the first half.
Utah controlled every aspect of the third quarter by limiting turnovers, making shots around the court, and playing tenacious defence. Jazz trailed by 15 late in the third quarter and the Wolves further strengthened their hold by 79-71 heading into the fourth.
Jazz were right back into the game as Andrei Kirilenko scored six straight points for them to cut Minnesota's lead to 87-79 early in the fourth.
The Minnesota tried hard to make the score a respectable one and padded lead to 101-94 with 3 minutes to play, however Williams rushed back the other way for a three-point play and the Jazz made 15 of 20 shots in the fourth to squeak out the win.
"I thought our guys did a good job the vast majority of the ballgame, but obviously what plagues us as a ballclub and continues to hurt us is our composure in late-game situations, making silly fouls, giving teams and-ones. Those types of things are all
just learning experiences for our guys.” - Minnesota coach, Kurt Rambis.
Turning point
Minnesota Timberwolves were leading the game with just 3:06 to go in the final buzzer. However, special thanks to the tenacious defence of Utah and the unrequited fouls by Minnesota, the Jazz cut the deficit in less than 70 seconds.
William’s 3-pointer and Millsap’s free throw and a 3-pointer tied the game in favour of Utah, 101-101 with 01:58 remaining. From here onwards, the Utah dominated the court, scoring the last seven points of the game and featured in a pair of three-point plays,
one by Gordon Hayward and the other by Williams.
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