From AP Sports:
The Timberwolves, who beat Utah on Sunday in Minnesota, gave the Jazz fits
again—if only for a half. Utah led 53-50 at the break after allowing Minnesota
to shoot 59 percent from the field in the half. It didn’t take long, however,
for the Jazz to pull away after intermission.
again—if only for a half. Utah led 53-50 at the break after allowing Minnesota
to shoot 59 percent from the field in the half. It didn’t take long, however,
for the Jazz to pull away after intermission.
Wolves record: 19-55
Wolves coach Randy Wittman worried the Jazz — now 35-4 at home and
16-22 on the road — might knock his team out early on the second half
of challenging back-to-back games in a dwindling season. Afterward, he
said he was "proud" his team held tough through halftime, when the Jazz
led by three points.
16-22 on the road — might knock his team out early on the second half
of challenging back-to-back games in a dwindling season. Afterward, he
said he was "proud" his team held tough through halftime, when the Jazz
led by three points.
The debilitating uppercuts arrived early in the third quarter, when a
59-56 Utah lead quickly became a 79-61 bulge in a five-minute span. The
Wolves never climbed up off the canvas until the fourth quarter and by
then, it was far too late.
59-56 Utah lead quickly became a 79-61 bulge in a five-minute span. The
Wolves never climbed up off the canvas until the fourth quarter and by
then, it was far too late.
After giving up 110 points
to Minnesota in Sunday’s loss, the Jazz came out in an aggressive,
gambling defense. They trapped off the pick-and-roll and ran a second
defender at Al Jefferson every time the Timberwolves center caught the
ball inside.
to Minnesota in Sunday’s loss, the Jazz came out in an aggressive,
gambling defense. They trapped off the pick-and-roll and ran a second
defender at Al Jefferson every time the Timberwolves center caught the
ball inside.
They did the job on
Jefferson (12 points, 2 rebounds) but struggled to contain Minnesota’s
other players. Rashad McCants and Randy Foye combined for 18 points in
the first half and the Jazz took just a 53-50 lead into halftime
despite Kyle Korver’s three three-pointers.
Jefferson (12 points, 2 rebounds) but struggled to contain Minnesota’s
other players. Rashad McCants and Randy Foye combined for 18 points in
the first half and the Jazz took just a 53-50 lead into halftime
despite Kyle Korver’s three three-pointers.
30 Days since Wolves center and new dad Michael Doleac played. He had three points in nine second-half minutes.