Utah Jazz Snap Six-Game Losing Streak Against Minnesota Timberwolves with Thrilling 117-116 Win
Image credits: NBA.com
The Utah Jazz managed to snap a six-game losing streak against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a thrilling 117-116 win on Friday night. Walker Kessler had a go-ahead dunk with 9.7 seconds left to help the Jazz secure the victory. John Collins scored a season-high 29 points and 12 rebounds for Utah, while Brice Sensabaugh added 17 points and Isaiah Collier had a career-high 14 assists. The Jazz opened the third quarter with a 27-4 run and seized an 83-71 lead, with Collins starting the second-half rally with back-to-back baskets.
Naz Reid had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and Jalen McDaniels added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who played without leading scorer Anthony Edwards while he served a one-game suspension for technical foul accumulation. Minnesota used a 10-2 run to regain the lead late in the fourth quarter, going up 116-115 on Donte DiVincenzo’s 3-pointer with 1:31 remaining. The Timberwolves had only one turnover in the first half, but struggled in the third quarter, missing 12 of 14 shots over the first 6 1/2 minutes to squander an 11-point halftime lead.
The Jazz and Timberwolves have had a closely contested series, with the Wolves winning the first matchup in Utah 138-113 on Jan. 30. The Jazz were without Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson due to injuries, while the Timberwolves were missing Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Bones Hyland. The game was a high-scoring affair, with both teams struggling on defense. The Jazz rank 22nd in the league on offense with a 111.2 offensive rating, while the Timberwolves rank sixth in the league on defense with a 110.7 defensive rating.
Here are the match scores and player statistics:
- Utah Jazz: 117
- Minnesota Timberwolves: 116
- John Collins: 29 points, 12 rebounds
- Brice Sensabaugh: 17 points
- Isaiah Collier: 14 assists
- Naz Reid: 27 points, 11 rebounds
- Jalen McDaniels: 20 points, 10 rebounds
The NBA has been cracking down on technical fouls, and Anthony Edwards' suspension is a testament to this. Edwards was suspended one game without pay by the NBA after picking up his 16th technical foul of the season during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers. The league rules state that a player receives a one-game suspension after picking up 16 technical fouls in a season, and for every two additional technicals, the suspension will increase by one game. The Timberwolves will need to find a way to replace Edwards' production, as he is a key player for the team.
jazz timberwolv utah minnesota 117 kessler 116 walker collin six
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