Timberwolves surge past Jazz with explosive third quarter
The Minnesota Timberwolves (7-4) continue to assert their dominance over struggling teams, showcasing their prowess with a decisive 120-113 victory against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. This win marked the conclusion of a successful back-to-back, following a commanding 144-117 triumph over the Sacramento Kings just a day prior. With three consecutive wins and five victories in their last six games, the Timberwolves are capitalizing on a favorable schedule that has included matchups against the Jazz twice, along with the Kings, Hornets, and Nets. Their only setback during this stretch came at the hands of a formidable New York Knicks squad that overwhelmed them earlier.
Edwards shines with a stellar performance
Anthony Edwards delivered a standout performance, leading the Timberwolves with 35 points, complemented by six rebounds and six assists. His shooting was sharp—hitting 13 of 25 attempts from the field, including a remarkable five of nine from beyond the arc. Over the last three games, Edwards has found his rhythm from three-point range, converting 17 of 32 attempts and boasting an impressive 50% shooting percentage from deep this season (29 of 58).
In addition to Edwards’ heroics, Julius Randle made significant contributions, filling the stat sheet with 27 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Rudy Gobert added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels (16 points) and Donte DiVincenzo (14 points) also played pivotal roles in the offensive effort.
A transformative third quarter shifts momentum
After trailing by two points at halftime, the Timberwolves turned the tide in the third quarter, outscoring the Jazz 40-25. This surge included a remarkable 8.5-minute stretch at the start of the period where Minnesota overwhelmed Utah with a staggering 33-9 run, establishing a commanding 22-point lead.
“We played pretty good defense, minus the fouling in the second half. I thought that was what kept us from building a bigger lead. But it feels like we’ve found some defensive intensity over the last few games,” noted head coach Chris Finch, reflecting on the team’s performance.
Looking ahead
With their momentum building, the Timberwolves will have a brief respite before their next challenge, as they prepare to host the Kings at Target Center in Minneapolis this Friday. As they continue to navigate through their schedule, Minnesota is poised to build on their recent success, with eyes set on maintaining their winning streak.
