Timberwolves Wrap: Blowout win in Utah

The Timberwolves followed up Monday’s easy road win with a blowout victory over the Jazz in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night.

In the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Timberwolves have come out of the All-Star Break exactly how they needed to in order to have a chance.

On Wednesday night in Salt Lake City, the Wolves won for the third time in the last four games with the lone loss coming in a hard-fought game in Houston. Karl-Anthony Towns, Ricky Rubio, and Nemanja Bjelica led the way in what was basically a three-quarter game as Minnesota put things out reach early.

Towns was a man possessed in the paint once again as his personal hot streak continued. Rudy Gobert only managed nine points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, and Derrick Favors eked out a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds as KAT controlled the game down low.

Rubio had a fantastic all-around game. After missing a few jumpers in the opening minutes, the Wolves point guard began to take the ball to the basket and managed to finish at the rim with consistency, finishing around Gobert at least twice. He also had a two or three highlight-reel-worthy assists throughout the night before sitting out the final frame.

Bjelica had yet another strong performance, this time shooting the ball much better from the field. He paced the bench unit, and even though Shabazz Muhammad outscored him, Bjelica had the bigger impact as he affected multiple facets of the game.

This was an impressive win. Even though Utah was coming off of a game just 24 hours prior, it was still on the road against the division leaders and a team fighting for home court advantage in the Western Conference. And it allowed the Timberwolves to keep pace with the Denver Nuggets, who won on the road in Milwaukee. Additionally, Dallas and Portland lost, allowing the Wolves to leapfrog both teams and pull within a half-game of Sacramento for the ninth-spot.

And yes, the Jazz couldn’t have fallen out of a boat and hit the ocean in this one, but don’t discount the Wolves’ activity on defense. Finally, this squad seems to be practicing what Tom Thibodeau has been preaching all year, rotating with urgency and contesting shots all over the floor while still managing to crash the glass.

If this level of defensive intensity is the new normal, don’t be surprised to see this team end up in postseason play some six weeks from now.

Tweet of the Night

Star of the Night

Karl-Anthony Towns: 21 points (9-16 FG, 2-3 3P, 1-1 FT), 15 rebounds, 3 assists, one block, 4 turnovers

Towns was great, scoring both in the paint and on the perimeter. Somehow, he only attempted one free throw, but his biggest contribution was on the defensive glass. Even going up against the likes of Gobert and Favors, KAT did more than hold his own.

Notable Timberwolves Lines

• Andrew Wiggins: 20 points (7-16, 1-1 3P, 5-6 FT), 3 steals, 2 rebounds, one assist, 2 turnovers
• Ricky Rubio: 11 points (4-7 FG, 3-4 FT), 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 29 minutes
• Nemanja Bjelica, 13 points (4-10 FG, 1-3 3P, 4-5 FT), 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, one steal, zero turnovers
• Shabazz Muhammad: 18 points (7-12 FG, 0-2 3P, 4-4 FT), 3 rebounds, one assist, one turnover

Next: Wolves Wrap: Easy Win Over The Kings...

Who’s Up Next?

The Timberwolves will enjoy a pair of off days on the road before taking on the conference-leading, 46-13 Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday night at 8:00 p.m.